Your life since 1964:
After high school, I joined the Navy to earn money to go to college. With the GI Bill, I first went to NIACC for an associate degree as an electronics technician. Working at a grocery store while going to college, I met Annette. We got married in 1969 and moved to Lisle, IL and I worked at Bell Laboratories in Naperville, IL for about a year before going to the University of Illinois, Champain, IL to obtain a BS EE degree.
I then worked for Motorola for a little over 5 years before getting a divorce from Annette and taking a new job at a startup company making smoke alarms. I met Judy, an elementary school teacher, and married. She had 2 boys. (In a couple of years, we will be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary.)
I stayed with that start up company and, as an engineer, helped build it into a multi-million company with new innovative products. I obtained a Masters in Business Administration from Loyola University in Chicago, going to night classes. My highest position before retiring was Director of Research and I am an inventor on over 60 patents. It was a fun time. Honeywell purchased the company and now owns it.
Your life now: We managed to save enough to retire comfortably so I guess We're very lucky. We rent a house in Florida a couple of times per year to visit our 2 grand children Tiffany and Piper with step son Pete (married Michelle) near Tampa. Our other 2 grand children Piper and Daisy are with step son Dave (married Allison) and live only 45 minutes from us so we get to see them regularly. We co-own several rental houses in Charles City, IA with my brother. Since our parents are having more health problems in their late 80's, I travel to Clear Lake more often to visit them and Dave, being closer, visits them a couple of times each week.
What classmates have you kept in contact with?: Just my brother Dave.
Which classmates would you like to hear from?: It would be interesting to hear from any classmate. This web site was a great idea! Having class pictures and present day pictures helps us recognize each other after 45 years.
Hobbies?: On and off, I do oil painting. I used to play tennis but don't play very much since my wife got arthritis.
Favorite song of 1964 or earlier: Ricky Nelson songs (Everlovin', Travelin' Man, Summertime, etc.). I thought my voice had similarities to Ricky Nelson - except he could carry a tune.
Memories of Clear Lake: I especially remember the resort and the lake activities when the population would double in the summer as people visited. I recall boating, cruisin' around in our cars, going to the outdoor drive-in theater, etc. I am still very fond of being near the water.
