Page 4 - The Delta Shield - Winter 2016-17

Alumni Spotlight, cont’d.

(Continued from Page 1) fighter. I was the director of avionics/

and decided if I wanted to get into the engineering mission planning for about half of my
profession, I better move out. After four years career there, then went on to be a project
of being overseas, I was a bit worried about manager for a series of classified efforts.

finding something when I separated. As those Why did you continue to work on “I worked at the Lockheed ‘Skunk Works’ for 25 years on the F-117
who were looking for work in 1975 remembered, planes? Nighthawk stealth fighter. I was department head for Avionics, then took
the country was in a recession. Luckily, I found on project manager for special access programs until I retired in 2010. I
work straight away in Annapolis, Maryland. Well, I had a lot of interest in
still consult.”
military aircraft in general, and southern

Once home, what type of work did you California was the center of “stealth in touch with your TN Delta brothers
fall into? technology” at the time. Additionally, today?
this was a time of rapid advances in computer
The first 10 years, I worked for three technology. This was a good climate for Due to the work I was involved with, I kept
a pretty low profile on social media through my
defense companies on a variety interesting work. working years. But, when I retired, I sent some
digitized photos to an Air Force website, and
of projects. I did some early thus became “observable” to the world wide
web. I believe Ross Rainwater ’65 “found” me
work on the electromagnetic Rich preflighting an AGM 45 What type of volunteer and spread the word. Several brothers sent notes,
compatibility of the “new” GPS Shrike anti radiation missile. It work do you do? and I eventually hooked up with some.
system receiver on airborne had a 10-mile range to home-in
platforms. Following that, I on the SAM radar. The SA-2 had Although I still consult with I think it’s a good thing to step back from
moved to California and worked a 19-mile range, so they had to be Lockheed Martin, I retired in time to time and reflect on what the top priorities
on a few Army programs: anti- 2010. I joined the retirement are in your life. With everything going on, the
aircraft gun systems and anti- sneaky to get a shot. organization (Star Dusters), and really important things can sometimes get fuzzy.
tank missile systems at General am on the board of directors. We
Dynamics. Then I worked a few do lots of things retirees like to
years at Northrop developing do (day trips, luncheons, etc.),
avionics for the B-2 stealth and we also support several
bomber. My last job (25 years) scholarships for the kids of
was at Lockheed “Skunk Works” Lockheed employees. I just
working on the F-117 stealth started as a volunteer (at our

local library) for veterans

resources. The idea is to

help veterans reintegrate

into civilian life—finding

benefits, jobs, housing,

etc. On the fun side, I

volunteered to work on

some of the Rose Parade Rich, Mike Cope ’66, and Jim Elmen ’66 enjoying
floats this year. I’ve Sonoma wine country.

watched the parade for

years, and this is the first

year I will get to work on

one.

Rich at the Santa Anita racetrack. How do you stay

Exciting News! Rich and Mike Cope ’66 hiking in the British Virgin
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