Great-great-grandson of a Czech emigrant (Matej Chmelka) who homesteaded in Nebraska in 1871. Born and grew up four miles from Matej's homestead, first attended a one-room country school and grew up in a Roman Catholic family living on a primitive farm with no electricity, telephone or indoor plumbing. After graduating from the University of Nebraska, worked as an engineer in the automotive and aerospace industries while living in various locations around the USA and traveling around the world. In 1978, hosted through his Catholic parish a refugee Vietnamese Buddhist family and began thinking of writing a book about immigrants to America. Retired as president of a small aerospace company in Wichita, KS in 1997 and began writing a book on the driving forces of American immigrants centered around the Chmelka family and going back to biblical times.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Nebraska; MBA, Pepperdine University

Two books published through 1st Books Library: "Matej's Journey to America" and "Matej's Legacy."

Don Chmelka Personal Page
Information about my books and about me.

Matej's Journey to America
View information about me and "Matej's Journey to America" and order it.

Matej's Legacy
View information about me and "Matej's Legacy" and order it.

Testimonials
Testimonials for "Matej's Journey to America" and "Matej's Legacy."