In March of 1971, I enlisted in the United States Navy. You read that correctly, March—prior to graduation. I had a basic plan—get Navy training in Nuclear Power and then work in the industry that held the promise of “clean inexpensive energy.” Boot Camp in September ’71 was followed by Nuclear Power Training. After demonstrating “potential,” I attended the University of Idaho from 1973-1977. Kathy (AKA Betty Ann Fridley’s Baby Sister) and I were married in 1974 and enjoyed our early married life in the small idyllic college town of Moscow, Idaho. The toughest job in the Navy (any armed force) is being a Navy Wife. Kathy managed the home-front through the years as I went “boating with my buddies.” Mom, Dad, Mover, Landscaper, Plumber, Auto Mechanic—she did it all and raised three great kids
I got a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1977. Then, by “An Act of Congress,” I became a Naval Officer and a “Gentleman.” The “cold war” was actually very “hot” in the ‘70s and ‘80s as I served tours in the submarine force aboard the USS Nathan Hale and the USS James Monroe. We operated out of Holy Loch, Scotland—the families lived in Charleston, South Carolina. Shore duty took us to Macon, Georgia; New London, Connecticut; Portsmouth, New Hampshire and Virginia Beach, Virginia. My final sea tour was Executive Officer about the USS Norfolk. I retired in September, 1995, from the staff of Commander Submarine Force USS Atlantic Fleet.
An MS in Engineering Management from Old Dominion University, prior to leaving the Navy, led to a career with Copeland Corporation. As an Engineering Manager in Sidney, Ohio, and in Shelby, North Carolina, I built compressors for air conditioning and refrigeration—to keep the beer cold and the streak fresh for grilling. In March 2008, the Shelf facility was closed, presenting an opportunity for some “non-work.”
In May 2008, we returned to Watford City, North Dakota, my home town, for an “extended stay,” not since 1971. My brother and I were able to spend a great deal of time with our mother, Cecelia, during her final months—she passed in August 2008. Since then, Kathy and I have been living somewhat of a vagabond lifestyle. Fred and Betty Fridley have been wonderful hosts allowing us to stay with them in 2008 as well as during the fall the last two years. We thoroughly enjoy the community and of course the WCHS Football Season.
Home base remains Virginia Beach—however, we are seldom there. We are blessed with three wonderful children who tolerate us well. Our oldest, Jon, is a Resort Manager in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Our son, Jason, works for the Department of the Navy at the King’s Bay, Georgia, Submarine Base and lives in Jacksonville, Florida. Our baby, Jennifer, is a DNA Analyst (think Abby from NCIS) with the Baltimore County Police Department and her husband, Charles, is a police officer in Prince George, Maryland. They live in Bowie, Maryland. So far, we’re just “Grand Dogs,” but time will tell.
At present—our plans are to continue to visit family/friends as much as possible, age gracefully and make the most of each day—Live Well, Love Much, Laugh Often and crank up the oldies!!!
