Family

We are Rob, Cindy, Nathaniel, and Casey Savio. Here is a family photograph taken in September of 2004, just days before Nathaniel's departure for Moldova.

Dad (Rob):

A navy brat. Graduated from State College High School, Pennsylvania. Graduated from the University of Kansas with a major in Russian History. Entered the US Marine Corps and went to flight school. Flew fighters (F-4s and F/A-18s mainly). Retired after 20 years. Became an instructional developer/training analyst (based on experience in the military). Became an independent contractor in 1997. Has two older daughters: Jennifer and Heather (See Kansas Family).

Avocations: Family, sailing, backpacking, aviation, reading, traveling and more and more trying to improve the cottage and the house in the Keys.

Mom (Cindy):

Born in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Raised in Deerfield, Illinois. Graduated from Deerfield High School. Graduated from the University of Dubuque, Iowa where she majored in Special Education and had the very best time. Later got Masters Degree from the University of Arizona. Teaches Kindergarten at Cameron Elementary School, Fairfax County, Virginia. Nominated for Teacher of the Year in 1998-99. Loved madly by her students and their parents. Really into Smart Board (Interactive Whiteboard) technology.

Avocations: Family, boating (would rather motor), traveling, shopping, and dining out.

Rob and Cindy:

Rob and Cindy met in Yuma, Arizona. Rob was stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station there and Cindy got a job with the public schools through some friends who had moved there. They had the very best time there. Married as the result of plotting and conniving by Rae and Kathy DeCastro and inadvertent matchmaking by Major Wheeler. Moved to Japan for a year. Honeymooned in Hawaii.

Nathaniel:

Born in Lemoore, California. Raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Graduated from St. Stephen’s and St. Agnes School. He graduated from college (University of Arizona) in May of 2004. Yes, the same place his mother got her Masters.) He got a double  major in Political Science and Media Arts and completed them both in four years. He wrote a web comic called Angels2200 for quite awhile. It is a story about a bunch of girl fighter pilots in space. He returned form a stint in the Peace Corps in Moldova in Feb, 2007. He now has a tattoo of the Moldovan hero Stephan Cel Mare on his left shoulder blade (he apparently means to continue treating his body as a steamer trunk).

He is married to Katie. She is way too good for him. They got engaged on Friday, 11 December 2011 and married on 7 May 2012. The ring is a beautiful Blue Sapphire with many surrounding diamonds. Katie has a graduate degree in Public Health (lesser known tropical diseases) at Emory, in Atlanta, GA. They dote on their dog, Athena. They live in Alexandria, in the Huntington area. Katie has a food blog: Just Eat it! at http://kathrynannew.wordpress.com/

They went to Katie's sister's wedding in Italy in July 2007,and the subsequent trip to Tunisia. 

Nathaniel is now officially on his own. He has been hired by the Capital Police (Congress' police force). He completed the first portion of his training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Georgia in August 2008 and the second half of his training back in this area in November. He was the class Vice President and number one in his class in total score. He now serving in the Personal Protection Department, guarding the Congressional leadership.

While in Moldova Nathaniel traveled to most of the countries in eastern Europe. He speaks fluent Romanian and has made extensive contacts with Romanian speakers in this area.

Avocations: His social life, writing, Star Wars (less now than earlier), Anime, sailing, hiking, traveling, reading, cooking and Katie.

Casey:

Born in San Diego, California. Raised in Alexandria, Virginia. Graduated from West Potomac High School. Was the Captain of the school Dance Team. Has many very nice friends. We went to see her Dance Showcase. She was a major star and proved to be both talented and beautiful. She has also taken voice lessons. Casey attended East Carolina University (ECU) in Greenville, NC. Initially she was a Dance Education major. In her inimitable manner, she landed an internship with a very prestigious Public Relations firm in DC. It was a great job and she learned a lot. She switched to a PR major. While in college she was a waitress at a restaurant (Trips) in Greenville where she was well thought of and was Employee of the Month twice.

She graduated from ECU in May 2009 with a BS in Communications (Public Relations) and a BA in Political Science.

As of 31 January 2012, Casey will be employed by iCrossings, a Hearst Company, as a specialist in digital media.

Casey was engaged to Blake Nguyen, but that ended with Blake's tragic death of an undiscovered heart defect in April 2012. Blake is missed deeply by the whole family.

Avocations: Dancing, theater arts, singing, and traveling. 

Taz: Died 20 June 2002 (Everyone is very, very sad.)

A pure bred Cairn Terrier. Born in Maryland. Raised in Maryland. Came to us as a six year old, very well trained. He is less well trained now. A sweet dog. Very cute. Everybody loves Taz.

Avocations: Barking to go out so he can come back in and get a treat, and sleeping.