South County Profile: Lowell Streiker

Lowell Streiker moved to Shasta County nine years ago with his wife and family to be closer to relatives in the area.

Streiker is the chairman of the Shasta County Mental Health Board. The Mental Health board advises the Shasta County Board of Supervisors about mental health care services. He is one of 15 members on the board. Streiker has been in this position for two years and on the board a total of five years. The board meets on the first Wednesday of each month. Streiker is also a member of the California Association of Local Mental Boards Commissions. In these positions, Streiker is an advocate for the mentally ill.

“Four times a year, the board meets, to receive reports on the mental health issues in the state and to share experiences from all 50 counties, which are all different according to financial needs, and mental health needs. All situations are not handled in the same way,” explained Streiker.

“The meetings help us to be prepared for what will be taking place in our area within the next year or so, such as our soldiers who have had problems from fighting a war, homeless adults, children and other cases. It helps to give us a heads up on what we are facing in the future,” said Streiker.

“On Dec. 3, Shasta County opened a Behavioral Health and Recovery Program in Anderson, next to the Teen Center. It provides health, dental and mental health services to approximately 360 clients from the South County areas of Anderson, Cottonwood, Shingletown and other surrounding areas,” stated Streiker.

In his spare time, Streiker enjoys writing books. He is the author, co-author, editor or contributor to more than 40 books. His newest published books are “How I found God and Love at Austin High 1952-1956” and “Of Boys and Guns, Childhood Memories of a Chicago Neighborhood 1942-1952.” Streiker is a board member of the Northern California Writer’s Forum.

Streiker graduated from Austin High School in Chicago in 1956. After high school, he received his Undergraduate Degree in Philosophy from Temple University in Philadelphia. Following this, Streiker earned his Masters Degree and Ph.D. in Religion at Princeton University.

Currently residing in Cottonwood, Strieker has been married to his wife, Connie, for 32 years, and has four children and four grandchildren.

Name: Lowell Streiker.

Born where and when: Chicago, 1939.

Occupation: Author.

Marital Status: Married to Connie for 32 years.

Family: Four adult children and four grandchildren.

Pets: Four dogs, three cats and two horses.

My worst Job: Never had one.

My first job: Editor at a publishing house in Chicago.

In my spare time I: Watch old movies.

My favorite book: The Little Prince.

My favorite movie: Casablanca.

My favorite recording artist: Too many to mention.

My dream car: A Corvette.

My friends like me because: I have a good sense of humor.

If stranded on a deserted island, I would want: A book about boat building.

The one thing in life I’ve learned is: Love, live and laugh.

My most valued material possession: My house.

What I like best about the North State: The lovely setting.

My hero is: Charlie Gibson.

My pet peeve is: Drivers who don’t use their turn signals.

My fantasy is: Becoming a best selling author.

If I could change one thing about myself I would: Be taller and thinner.

The one thing Shasta County needs most is: A university.

The most enjoyable thing about life is: Surviving after two bouts with cancer.