Nathan Micheal Reimer. My name is more than letters added together. My last name, Reimer, means more than the literal definition, “a famous counsel” or “a maker of leather reins.” At the same time, Reimers goes under this definition with our creativity and drive to make original ideas. 

My Great-grandfather Walter Reimer was a watchmaker. His mind loved the intricate details of each unique time teller. The ticks and tocks of the gear turned to the beat of his heart. His desire to create his watches and spread his knowledge of the elaborate interworking of an everyday object was unmatched. 

My grandfather continues the Reimer legacy of being a maker through his entrepreneurship. Frederick Thomas USA is the company he created after working for a publishing company for around 40 years. He once told me, “I go to bed at night and sometimes I can't sleep because of all the ideas I want to make into reality.” His drive to educate others, especially children, is what influences his creativity. 

Todd Reimer, my dad, shows his creativity and craftsmanship uniquely. His interests span a wide variety from woodworking to forging metal. He skillfully shapes materials into decorative pieces. His dedication to this hobby goes further through his experimentation with different materials and styles. Whenever he is experimenting, Todd’s enthusiasm for forging is inspiring. 

As for myself, I carry on the Reimer legacy of creativity through my paths. Like my family before me, I find joy in expressing myself in storytelling through multiple mediums. Musical theater is a way for me to immerse myself in a story and show it to the audience, while my sculptural art is another way I like to express interesting stories and truths. Additionally, the path I have chosen in civil engineering embodies elements of both science and design. In all of these endeavors, I strive to honor the Reimer tradition of innovation and originality, and I embrace the legacy passed down through generations while creating my unique path.