Author with local ties releases newest book

SIKESTON - Meet Theo. "Theo" is the literary creation of author Robert Menz, a native of Perkins, Mo., now residing in Sidney, Ohio.

Theo is both the name of the book and the name of its central character in this fact-based work of fiction. Theo, a fictional character, plays a key role throughout the winding story from the war in Vietnam to life after war in the United States.

Menz describes his main character as a transcendant, whose noble life is a lesson in how to reach our full potential. As challenges arise through the story, "Theo" is a a guide to dealing with life's struggles and learning to be happy.

Menz served in the United States Army Signal Corp in the Vietnam War. During patrols in the jungle, Menz said the American soldiers dreaded a possible encounter with a venomous snake known as a "three stepper." One bite from the poisonous green snake was rumored to leave the victim with only three steps before death.

Menz didn't actually encounter the poisonous snake during his tour, but the the characters in his book are not so lucky. Theo is along to help the characters in a way that mirrors the professional life of the author.

The author is a retired certified employee assistance professional, educator and pastoral psychotherapist. He worked with a division of Emerson Electric helping employees to deal with personal issues which affect their work.

"Alcoholism and domestic abuse affect a person's ability to work to their potential in much the same way as a catastrophic or chronic illness," said Menz, whose job was to counsel Emerson's employees through a number of personal struggles and cut down on absenteeism in the workplace.

"Theo" is published by Balboa press and is available to purchase for $12.99 at Barnes and Noble and through Amazon.