Mike, M.S.Ed. '73, and Rosemary Greene, '69, Enjoying Retirement As Authors
By Tony Scott

Mike, M.S.Ed. '73, and Rosemary Greene. '69. (Photo credit: Mike and Rosemary Greene) 

Mike, M.S.Ed. ’73, and Rosemary Greene,'69, built their own successful business management software company before retiring and not only enjoying their time as grandparents, but as self-published authors too.

“We are a couple who value family relationships,” Rosemary said. “As a result, we've developed many family traditions, including what we call Grandma and Grandpa Camp. Our family includes four grown children, their spouses, eight granddaughters, and two grandsons-in-law. We cherish opportunities to gather for birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and really, any occasion to get together.”

The couple has hosted their week-long “Grandma and Grandpa Camp” since 1998 with their granddaughters. 

“This tradition has built a legacy of love, laughter and treasured memories,” Rosemary said.

The couple recently published their first book, called “Grandma and Grandpa Camp: Inspiring Stories to Strengthen Generational Bonds,” inspired by the time spent with their grandchildren. 
 

“This warm and heartfelt guide is packed with creative ideas, practical tips, and touching stories designed to help grandparents create beautiful, lasting memories with their grandchildren,” Rosemary said. “Some of the adventures we share include backyard movie nights, cake decorating, scavenger hunts, swimming, and our tradition of naming an ‘artist of the year’ to design the annual camp T-shirt. Additionally, we provide planning tools and ideas to help find adventures with grandchildren at home, in the community, and around the neighborhood. Most importantly, we share how our Grandma and Grandpa Camp has strengthened our relationships with our granddaughters.”

She continued, “Through this book, our goal is to inspire and empower grandparents everywhere to foster and deepen their relationships with their grandchildren.”

The book is available to purchase on Amazon and at Barnes and Noble and other retailers.
 

The couple, who now reside in Texas, started their educational journey at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois, where they both began their studies and where Mike received his bachelor’s degree, before they married and moved to the Chicago area.
 

Rosemary attended NIU to finish her bachelor’s degree in two years while balancing the responsibilities of raising their two oldest children. A few years later, while working as an assistant principal in Palatine, Illinois, Mike earned his master’s from NIU.
 

“Although commuting from the northwest suburbs of Chicago limited our opportunities to engage in campus activities, we both value the quality of our education at NIU,” Rosemary said. “Carpooling with fellow students provided encouragement, connection, and stimulating conversation as we traveled back and forth to NIU. We're also grateful for having had many excellent professors along the way, even if their names have faded over the years.”
 

Mike grew up in the small town of Hanna City, Illinois, near Peoria, with one brother and one sister. His father worked as a watchmaker, purchasing agent and, later, an accountant. His mother, now 102, lives close to the couple in Richardson, Texas.
 

Rosemary grew up in Peoria, Illinois, with five brothers and two sisters. Her father worked as a tool designer at Caterpillar.

In the early years of their marriage, Mike built a career in education, serving as a teacher and school administrator in the Chicago suburbs, while Rosemary dedicated herself to raising the couple’s four children. 

In 1978, the couple relocated to Dallas, Texas, where they both joined a company to do data processing. A few years later, they founded their company, RAM Software Systems, Inc., which they owned and operated for 40 years before their retirement. 

“Our business specialized in providing Enterprise Resource Planning solutions to mid-sized manufacturing companies,” Rosemary said. “We not only delivered the software but also partnered closely with clients to implement systems tailored to their organizational needs. The manufacturing world truly is a fascinating place.”

The Greenes are extremely grateful for how their time at NIU shaped their careers and their lives.

“The education and experiences at NIU provided us with valuable skills, including critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability,” Rosemary said. “These skills not only shaped our professional lives but also enriched our personal lives as we raised our family and built meaningful careers.”
 

To help fortify the future at NIU, visit niuforward.com.