Ten Questions is a series in the Point Loma-OB Monthly that shines a spotlight on notable locals. This month’s featured personality is Point Loma resident Dan Wieder, who recently was given the Lighthouse Award by the Point Loma Association for his volunteer service to the PLA and Cabrillo National Monument.

Here’s what he says about himself:

I moved to Point Loma from Riverside at the start of ninth grade. I attended Point Loma High and met my wife, Becky, there during our senior year (1974). Our first date was at the old Loma Theater, where we saw “American Graffiti.”

After graduation, I attended UC San Diego before earning a bachelor’s degree in earth science from Cal State Fullerton.

Becky and I got engaged at Cabrillo National Monument and were married in an outdoor ceremony at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in 1979.

We moved to Socorro, N.M., where I earned a master’s degree in geophysics from New Mexico Tech.

We moved to Bartlesville, Okla., where I started my career as a geophysicist with an oil company. We raised our two girls in Bartlesville.

I learned about soccer when our girls reached the age to start playing and they needed coaches. I became a coach, loved it and coached the girls for 10 years.

While working as a geophysicist, I became more and more interested in the computer side of things and loved problem-solving and troubleshooting computer programs. I used Cray supercomputers in my work for many years.

I transitioned to become a computer systems analyst when my oil company merged with another oil company. I was transferred to Houston after the merger in 2003. I managed thousands of computers linked together in a Linux cluster.

After 30 years away, we were lucky enough to move back to San Diego and into the Point Loma house I grew up in. Shortly after, we attended a Point Loma Summer Concert and spoke with members of the Point Loma Association who had a table set up. After learning about the group and looking at before-and-after pictures, we joined the Mean Green Team [a PLA volunteer group that maintains 20 landscaped sites around Point Loma].

That was 14 years ago and we are still working with either the rose team or Fire Station 20 team on Mondays and with the rest of the Mean Green Team on Fridays at the various other sites.

At the same time, we started to volunteer at Cabrillo working in the tide pools.

We feel extremely lucky to be able to live in Point Loma and volunteer with the two organizations that are close to our hearts.

Now on to the 10 Questions:

Q. What attracted you to the Point Loma-Ocean Beach area as a place to live and/or work? 

A. We both have always loved Point Loma … so we have a lot of history and memories from the area. We are happy and lucky that we had the chance to come back home.

Q. What do you like to do in Point Loma and/or Ocean Beach? 

A. I spend the majority of my time volunteering at Cabrillo National Monument and with the Point Loma Association. Both provide me satisfaction in my retirement. At Cabrillo, I spend the majority of my time down at the tide pools, protecting them and educating the public. Being near the ocean is always a magical experience.

I also provide computer and technical assistance at the park as needed. It’s nice to continue the Wieder volunteering trend, as my mom used to volunteer at Cabrillo and my wife volunteers there as well. It is our favorite spot.

With the PLA I am part of the Mean Green Team, the rose team and Fire Station 20 team. I am also the man behind the curtain for most of the membership activity with the PLA, and I maintain the PLA website.

When I’m not volunteering, I like to spend time walking around the neighborhood and places like Shelter Island.

My other addiction is tinkering on the computer. I enjoy trying to help people with their computer problems. My obsession is never letting the computer win, so I will spend a lot of time trying to resolve an issue — sometimes too much time.

Q. If you could snap your fingers and have it done, how might you improve the area?

A. I would add additional freeway access to help ease traffic congestion into and out of Point Loma. The area around the Midway District is only going to get worse.

Q. Who or what inspires you?

A. People who are always willing to help others

Q. If you hosted a dinner party for five guests, who (living or deceased) would you invite?

A. Three loved ones who died too young, and perhaps [NBA legend] Magic Johnson and [former soccer star] Julie Foudy. They would be interesting guests.

Q. Tell us about what you are currently reading or watching on TV.

A. I enjoy mystery and adventure fiction books such as Sue Grafton and Tom Clancy, and I like to watch soccer and college sports. I also enjoy British shows.

Q. What would be your dream vacation?

A. Visiting lighthouses around the country

Q. What are your five favorite movies of all time?

A. “American Graffiti,” “Apollo 13,” “Chariots of Fire,” “Hoosiers” and “Hidden Figures”

Q. What is your most prized possession?

A. Family photos

Q. What is your motto or philosophy of life?

A. Mr. Rogers said “Look for the helpers.” They are the heroes who make the world a better place.

Do you know someone you’d like us to ask 10 Questions? Send an email with your suggestion to robert.vardon@lajollalight.com.