After graduation I joined the Air Force. I attended Air Traffic Control School at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, Mississippi. The remainder of my enlistment was spent as an air traffic controller at Indianapolis, IN (working for the CAA/FAA), Perrin AFB, Sherman, TX, and Thule AB, Thule, Greenland.

In 1958, while still in the Air Force, I married Ardy Thompson. Our first home was in Sherman, TX.

After my discharge from the Air Force I went to drafting school at N.W. Technical Institute. During my working career I worked for several different companies in various capacities. I held positions as a Draftsman, Engineer, Methods Engineer, Engineering Manager, Tool Designer, and Sales.

In 1986 I made two trips to Taiwan doing feasibility studies for buying machined castings from Taiwan. I also assisted the prospective suppliers with tool and fixture design. This was an educational trip in many ways, not the least of which was an appreciation of how fortunate we are to live in the USA. Most of my evenings were spent dinning with prospective suppliers. Since they were in charge of the menu, I learned to eat some pretty exotic foods (???). Many of these foods (???) had previously not been on my list of things fit for human consumption. I soon learned that consuming an ample supply of rice wine before dinner was a big help.

The last 8 years of my working career were spent in sales for Team Industries. Team Industries is a Minnesota Corporation with 6 plants whose main focus is the manufacture of drive train components. On average I traveled 4-5 days a month, primarily in the eastern half of the country and Winnipeg, Canada.

In March of 2001 I retired. In October of 2001 we sold our home of 26 years near Grandy, MN and moved to our lake place near Palisade, MN. We still enjoy snowmobiling and other winter outdoor activities so we don’t travel south for the winter. However we do take an occasional winter trip. We stay very busy, sometimes too busy, doing volunteer work and other activities. We belong to the Country Roads Classics Car Club, The Minnesota Street Rod Association and other groups.

We have four grandchildren; Gregory, Erin, Heather & David, and one great-granddaughter Audriana Jean. She was born March 14 2007.

We are looking forward to attending the 50th Reunion.