THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 30, 1994 TAG: 9410280278
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 76 lines
IF YOU'RE ONE OF the hundreds of teachers and school officials in Suffolk and in Isle of Wight and Southampton counties, chances are you've met Daniel Stark, the friendly insurance agent.
However, if you met him nine months ago, you wouldn't recognize him today.
Stark has lost 170 pounds since last October and says he's on the way to a very different lifestyle.
``I've always had a weight problem, but I had gained 100 pounds in one year. I had to use a pretty drastic measure to get rid of the weight - stomach staples - but it worked.
``I got 40 more pounds to go.''
When Stark isn't making calls on clients, he's in the weight room he recently built onto his house, working out.
Many of his regular clients who haven't seen him since the first of the year don't recognize him when he comes calling, Stark says.
``They say, `Oh, you're the new Horace Mann Insurance agent?' I say, `No, not really.'
``It's really made a difference. It's a blast.''
Name: Daniel R. Stark
What brought you to Suffolk? Moved to Suffolk to escape the sub-zero cold weather of New Hampshire.
Hometown: New York City
Birthdate: May 31, 1948
Nickname: Dan or Danny
Occupation: Agent for Horace Mann Insurance.
Marital status: Married to Mary for 27 years.
Children: Bart and Valerie
Favorite movies: ``Field of Dreams,'' ``The 10 Commandments,'' ``Moby Dick'' and ``The Fugitive.''
Favorite magazine: Awake
A book you wish everyone would read: The Bible because if everyone would live by the principles it advocates, we would see the end of hate, war and mistrust among people.
Favorite night out on the town: A cool summer night at Harbor Park with my family and friends eating hot dogs and drinking a cold beer.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Smithfield Station
Favorite food and drink: A New York-style pepperoni pizza and cold beer.
Few people know . . . that I am basically shy.
What's the best thing about yourself? I am goal-oriented and determined. Once I set my mind to a goal, I generally accomplish it.
Worst habit: Biting my fingernails.
First thing in the morning: I go get the newspaper and coffee.
Pets: A cat named Butterscotch.
Hobbies: Baseball, golf and reading.
Ideal vacation: Taking a slow trip around the United States with my wife and having the time to see all of nature's wonders. And a game at all the major league ballparks during baseball season.
Pet peeve: Trains that stop in the middle of the city. I always get caught when I'm in a hurry.
First job: Stock clerk at a hardware store in New York.
Worst job: I have liked most of the jobs I've had. However, the most difficult was working as a stonecutter in a granite quarry.
Of what achievements are you most proud? In addition to raising my two children that I am proud of, attaining my degree as a chartered life underwriter and chartered financial consultant from the American College at Bryn Mawr University in Pennsylvania - after my 40th birthday.
What would you like on your epitaph? ``Here lies a good man. A friend of the friendless, champion of what is right, a man of principle and a faithful servant of God.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MICHAEL KESTNER
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW PROFILE
by CNB