Randy Best is a lifelong member of Ethical Culture. He was born in St. Louis and grew up attending the Ethical Society of St. Louis where his parents are still active members.
Professing atheism at an early age caused his kindergarten girlfriend, Michelle, to approach the teacher exclaiming, "Mrs. Duffy, Mrs. Duffy, Randy doesn't believe in God!" Unbeknownst to Michelle, Mrs. Duffy was also a member of the Ethical Society. Mrs. Duffy replied, "That's all right, Michelle, some people don't believe in God." Randy escaped trouble and has been escaping trouble ever since.
Randy Best received a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Grinnell College in Iowa in 1977 and a Master's Degree in City Planning/Public Policy from Harvard University in 1979. In 2002, Randy completed a Graduate Certification in Humanist Leadership Studies from the Humanist Institute. Randy is also a certified Mediator and Pastoral Counselor.
He was certified as an Ethical Culture Leader in November, 2004.
Randy lives in Durham, North Carolina with his wife, Sarah Howe, a ceramic artist, and their four children whom they have home schooled.
Randy works at Duke University as the Administrative Director of the Physics Department. He is Leader of the North Carolina Society for Ethical Culture.