While stationed in West Berlin, I became interested in Soviet aircraft, shining glints of which I could see in the sky over the city. From time-to-time their sonic booms nearly deafened us. So I took up modeling them in plastic from kits. As with many model builders, research into the aircraft became an avocation. In fact, I haven't built a model in years, although I still buy the kits. Someday I intend to build them all, to the high standards required for entry into the competitions held by the International Plastic Modelers Society, of which I once was a member of the U.S.A. branch, but over time and because other activities, I have allowed my membership to lapse.

After I retired from the Air Force in 1981, I went to work for the Department of Defense, where I served in various organizations.  From February 1999 until July 2000, I worked under contract as an Internet Research Specialist for a major U.S. aerospace firm. 

Because of my interest in languages,   I was asked to obtain a list of conferences for linguists. What began as help for a few folks has turned into an interesting, albeit time-consuming but fun task. I also consider myself something of a historian, concentrating of course on the Soviet/Russian aircraft, their designers, and their test pilots. I had been acting as a translator and technical advisor for George John Geiger when he passed away before he completed his multi-volume history on the aircraft. George had been a free-lance magazine writer; I believe that his last aircraft article was about the Yak-141.

From 2000 to the present time, I have been a freelance translator of Russian into English, specializing in handwritten documents, cancer research studies, history, and so forth.  In 2005, I  had the opportunity to translate a book from Russian into English for the author of that book, "The Medieval Empire of the Israelites."  The book takes a different look at history.  Please note if you read this translation that I did NOT use the word "photographies" for the caption for the photos of the Colossi of Memnon on page 156.  Someone changed it.

I am married,  have two daughters and SIX! grandchildren. Chase, named after my late father, Aileen, and Harry are Terri's, while Owen, Aaron and Noah are Kelly's.

I am reviewing these words in February 2006.  I am now 62 and  have applied for Social Security.  Chase is in high school and saving money for a car.  Where has the time gone?!?