What do you do?

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2005: What do you do?
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 11:47 pm:

What is or was your vocation. Cabinetmaker,58 about half retired,Atlanta TX.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth Harbuck on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:11 am:

Engine design engineer, 49 and about 3/4 retired but don't want to be, '19 speedster/pickup in Shreveport, LA


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.M.Head on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:22 am:

National Director (Taiwan) for an international (us based) college testing university prep ESL program (h.o. Sydney, Aus).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ken Kopsky on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:26 am:

Computer systems management consultant with emphasis on business systems and banking. Yeah I know, that's a long way from the auto restoration business but rebuilding cars have been my hobby since I was old enough to spin a wrench. It became my "work" after retiring from the grind in 1995.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:34 am:

Museum Curator & Performing Arts Center manager, but spent ~20 years as an antique auto restorer. I'm also a Piano Tuner.
T'ake care,
David D.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Alex Alongi on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:36 am:

Library page, Actor (was actually in "Hello Dolly" but you ain't gonna find me, $50 a day extra}, bartender, Designed & sold ad's for the Yellow Pages.

Last 25 years I've done dispatching, code enforcment & plan checking for the City of San Diego & as soon as the paper work's done, I'm out.

Alex


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Scott Davidson on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:43 am:

Aircraft mechanic for 28 years
Scott Davidson


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By smilebigtt on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:52 am:

Do we need to start worrying about identity theft? My next thread is going to be what is your SSN. :-) I am the Traffic Engineer, supervise 3 Civil Engineer Tech's, one GIS Tech. Also in charge of Pavement Management, "and all other duties as asigned" all for Shawnee County. I also do a little photography work when I can get away(smilebigtt).
Hey David is it true, you can tune a piano, but you can't tune a fish? Sorry I could not help myself.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By smilebigtt on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:06 am:

Oh, retired military - 25 years.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Gruber on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:19 am:

66 going on 29.
Retired Toolmaker.
Started apprenticeship in '59.
Comes in handy messing with old cars.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By cecil paoletti on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:50 am:

Retired mechanical engineer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Frank Harris on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:01 am:

Worked a lot in experimental aircraft development with my own consulting business for 45 years and at the same time began teaching with specialties in hands on Sloyd training in jr high, senior high auto shop and drafting then voational community college and then registrar and then Dean of Instruction and Curriculm. 400 instructors and 25,000 students. Big school. Retired in 1989.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDWARD R LEVY on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:02 am:

About to retire University Professor. Never had a day that wasn't full of suprises. I can't wait to devote more time to my old Ford. My retired father in law said that after he retired he never worried again about being on time !!
Edward R. Levy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By EDWARD R LEVY on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:04 am:

When I look at the backrounds of the folks in this hobby it helps to explain what a great bunch we are.
Edward R. Levy


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By LArry Reber on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:25 am:

Well....
20 years Submarine Sonar Technician
6 Months for a government support contractor (they ran out of money)
15 1/2 years Facilities hospital maintenance. Now the Lead of three.
Also 27/29 years Dad.. and 34 years Hubby :-)
Larry


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Frink on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:49 am:

Steel mill maintenance shop supervisor.
Retired


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By David Dewey on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:49 am:

Hey Smilebigtt
Yeah, I've heard that. Also, "Have you heard of Operknockity? He tunes but once."
Since I'm in gold country,
Do you know what you get when you throw a piano down a mine shaft??

A Flat Miner!

On that note, I'll close. . . .
T'
David D.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Roland Palmatier -- Durham, NH on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 03:01 am:

Maybe 88% retired electro-mechanical engineer from the printing press industry for 31 years. but worked in the industry for 39 years.

Regards, Roland


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Doug on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:03 am:

First 14 years as an Auto Technician, even owned my own shop. Then I have sold and serviced computer and printing systems for 18+ years. Gee time flies now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ray Elkins on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:17 am:

Wow...these threads are great.
I've worked as a diesel & transport refrigeration mechanic for a food company, then moved into Plant Maintenance where I spent time as Equipment Manager and Maintenance Supervisor. Stayed there about 10 years, then went into the computer networking field and spent about five years installing and configuring networks and servicing high-end HP laser printers, even went back to the food company for a year as LAN Administrator until Sara Lee bought them out and started cutting folks.

Spent a couple years with Briggs & Stratton maintaining aluminum machining equipment and Fanuc robots. I think that was actually called a Manufacturing Technician...fancy work for jack-of-all-trades!

From there I went to maintenance in another food company, this one owned by Kroger. I'm still there, and my oldest son now works alongside me.

Volunteer firefighter and EMT for about 10 years, and I sail! Yep, a sailor.

BUT...since I was 15 I have been doing metalwork and painting, first in the small shop my dad had at home, then when I bought the farm (literally) I rebuilt the shop bigger and more usable to restore vintage and classic cars and build hot rods. I've reproduced several engine brackets for vintage Buicks, and also make and sell some other custom brackets for speed shops (these are also for Buick engines used in traditional hot rods). I spent most of the past 25 years in that shop when I wasn't at my real job. I've done articles in a few magazines, and do some for an internet tech article site.

Now, I've closed the shop to outside work and intend to finish some of my projects along with my house, and spend time with my kids that I never took time to do before. Oh yeah, and play with my TT!

Ray


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Warren Mortensen on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:45 am:

Dairy Farmer until age 26.

Been involved with assembly equipment maintenance and training and automated assembly equipment the rest of my life, last 6 years with a large medical device company based in Minneapolis, MN.

Beats getting a wet tail in the face any day. I always say that I haven't worked a day since getting off the farm.

Regarding retirement, my Uncle Art, who just turned 90, remarked one time that it was a good thing that they had sold off all the cows because no one had time to milk them anymore.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:51 am:

Wow,
If I were to give details, this would be very long and boring. I started working life as a Deputy Sheriff. Did that for 11 years and got tired of dodging bullets.

Then got into construction and historic home renovation. Did that for 10 or so years. Then I got tired of working out in the weather and moved into my own shop making doing cabinet work and antique restoration.

Couldn't afford insurance anymore, so I had to get a real job.

That was in a museum as a "Jack of all trades". My title was maintenance supervisor / Prepairitor.

Then it was on to Maintenance Director at a VERY exclusive country club. The club house was a restored Catholic Seminary built about 1900. Now, I am the Maintenance Superintendent at a college with 7 custodians, 5 maintenance workers and 2 grounds keepers on my staff. I long for the more simple days! lol

Tim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:56 am:

lol.....After thinking about my past jobs, I went from the Country club, where you really weren't supposed to speak to the members, but if you addressed them it was by title, or sir...............Now the people I am surrounded by go by "Hey dude".....lolol

Tim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:59 am:

Oh, one other thing that may interest you:

They country club where I was Maintenance Director is host to:

http://www.glenmoorgathering.com/


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By DaGunny on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:06 am:

Retired Jarhead
IT (computer weenie) for 3000 people in govt agency.
Yup - double dip.
Semper Fi!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Stanzione on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:29 am:

Develop, Design, Build, Operate and Maintain small (2 MW to 30 MW) electric power generating plants for industry, university and municipal customers using Caterpillar generating systems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Pawelek on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:32 am:

Graduated from Texas A&M in 1976 in Horticulture and moved back home to continue the Nursery I started in Highschool so I guess that makes me an "indoor farmer". No employeees so that makes me....
Owner, grower, manager, electrician, plumber, construction supervisor, common labor, advertising manager, accountant, public relations etc, etc, etc. The good news is I can't be fired and the bad news is that I have to put up with the boss no matter what mood he is in! After 35 years the business has survived a hurricaine, two tornados and 3 down turns in the oil business here in the Houston, Texas area. I love what I do but next time around won't work with a perishable product! :-)....Michael Pawelek

111001
111002
11003
111004
111005


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Pawelek on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:39 am:

PS- I went back to school last year and besides the nursery am now also the "charge nurse" for my 80 year old Father who lives next door. I run the machine, cannulate the needles and do all the blood collection for his hemodialysis every morning starting at 5:30 am. My new career at 54 years old....Michael Pawelek


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce McCalley on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:04 am:

I started out as a radio repairman, then TV, and into the wholesale electronics business for twenty years. Editor of the Vintage Ford for twenty-five years, "retiring" in 1991. Editor of an antique radio magazine for five years until a year ago. Still active in the MTFCA of which I was one of the six founding members back in 1965.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:33 am:

Ok, 56 3/4 Starting to see the light of retirement.
Laborer,Grinder,Welder,Layout,Designer,Engineer,
Manager, 37 years with for a major stainless steel company.
Have a small farm with horses, and registerd long
horn cows.
Repair,restore,make musical instruments (violins
mainly)
All sorts of other hobbies.
14 T project
26 T Roadster finished
37 Plymouth project
40 Packard project
Ed


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:42 am:

I have been a corporate jet mechanic for almost 30 years. For the first 20 years I worked in heavy maintenance and overhaul. My job consisted mainly of performing and supervising mechanical / hydraulic / engine repair / corrosion repair.

For the past 9 years I have been working for an international Fortune Ten company maintaining their fleet of corporate jets. In this position I find myself working more on electrical and avionics which are the least reliable systems of any aircraft. I still have to work occasionally on engines and hydraulics / flight controls or any other part of the aircraft if they have problems and also supervise any heavy maintenance.

I travel on these aircraft any time the mission is outside the USA. You never know where I might be reading the Model T Forum. Nepal didn't have any Model T's nor did Mongolia, at least none that I could find. Japan, Germany, Switzerland, England, France, Italy - easy to find Model T's.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By b j. cannon on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:55 am:

retired Navy, plank owner, USS Kitty Hawk (CV63) USS John F. Kennedy (CV67)8 years instructor duty NATTC Millington, Tenn.,23 years professor Lake City Community College, Golf Course Operations program.
Married to the perfect wife:
GIG UM Aggies!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Heyen on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:57 am:

5th generation Nebraska farmer. Before returning to the farm, law enforcement for several years. Prior to that, U.S. Army, infantry, airborne Ranger. Prior to that, child of the seventies.

Limited part time job - on call gigallo for the wife (you can tell it is very part time, I don't know how to spell it!).

Michael, beautiful flowers. Royce, I think I would like you to work on my car. I know you would'nt want me to work on yours (cars or aircraft).

Merry Christmas,
Rob Heyen


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By RICK LAWSON on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:59 am:

Self employed residencial/commercial designer.I also design bleacher systems. Builder till the heart attacks got me. I took the test and got licensed in interior design (structure, not colors). Six more years and I unplug the phone. We live on a small farm where we raise miniature horses. Rick Lawson


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Cullen on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:12 am:

Started out as a TV and Radio Repaiman, then auto mechanic and part time bodyman, moved on to offset press operator; toolroom helper and apprentice machinist; 10 years US Navy- communications, radar, navigation and crypto; microwave radio engineer; project manager and network engineer; fiber optic telecom engineer, project manager again, now telecom maintanence, (I just sit around hoping the green lights don't turn red). Ordained minister, substance abuse counselor. I've been playing with cars for 40 years, motorcycles for 35, restoring both for 30, and have just recently decided that Ts are more fun and less aggravation. I've done so many different things in the past it really comes in handy now.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Davidson on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:15 am:

Overseas Security Contractor. I find that working with Model T's takes the edge off a rough deployment.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim ( Gen3AntiqueAuto ) on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:17 am:

Antique Automobile Restoration Project Manager, Senior Technician, and Entrepreneur - Specializing in the Model T Ford of course!
Former telecommunications engineer.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard Gould on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:30 am:

Rock musician, attorney, auto mechanic, tax auditor, real estate investor at various times. Finally retired.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Seager on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:42 am:

I teach people how to fly experimental airplanes. Certified Flight Instructor. Eight years as an airforce C-130 mechanic. Built cruise missile at Boeing for three years. Cable TV owner.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Bunner on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:46 am:

Chip Physical Design. Xbox 360, Sony Playstation III, etc...
Started out working as a bench technician during highschool doing t.v., radio repair work.
Retired Army. Wish I could retire from IBM.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Royce on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:52 am:

Rob,

You can work on my T's any time!

Royce


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.V. Anderson on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:06 am:

House painter, 1 year after high school; then retail sales, followed by four years with a paint company as a color chemist and glazier; one year as a Cadillac mechanic. Then two years with an industrial coatings company, then one year as a construction worker. Worked on and off in painting and construction during the entire time. Eventually I went back to school to obtain my teaching certificate and then spent four years teaching high school English in a regular public school. I have been teaching in a special school for juvenile offenders for the last 13 years.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jerry VanOoteghem on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:13 am:

Jerry Van,

Mechanical Engineer for the last 20 years.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Mikeska on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:25 am:

Director of Maintenance and Construction
Elitch Gardens Amusement Park
Denver Colorado

Started out in the plastics industry. Got to hate going to work and dreading the phone ringing. 15 years ago I found an add in the paper for Six Flags Over Texas. I thought that sounded a whole lot more fun than what I was doing and took the job. After a few years there they sent me to one of their parks in Vallejo California. (Top end of San Francisco bay) 3 years ago they sent me to Denver.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick - (2) '26's - Bartow, FL on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:33 am:

Military: From Nov. '72 to Mar. '77, US Marines. MOS 6125: T-400 Jet Engine mechanic for the UH-1E Helicopter:

Military summary: Nov. '72 - Feb. '73, Parris Island, SC; Mar. 1973 - June 1973 Basic Helicopter School in Millington, TN; July '73 - Sept. '74, T-400 Jet Engine mechanic, Squadron HML-167, New River, NC; Oct.'74 - Dec. '74, Washington DC to attend MSG (Marine Security Guard) School (also known as Embassy Duty); Jan. 1975 - Jan. '76, US Consulate, Karachi, Pakistan; Jan. '76 - Mar. '77, US Embassy, Canberra, Australia. March 1977, Honorable Discharge.

Civilian: May 1977 - April 1980, attended Florida Southern College on the GI Bill. Graduated 1980 with BS degree in Business. November 1977 to Present, Executive V.P./Purchasing/Safety Director for Mulberry Railcar Repair Company. A family owned business started by my father in 1975. A good job that provides a good living, but not nearly so challenging as the Marines, which was much more rewarding, exciting and the highlight of my life. Age: 54. Married to wife Darlene who has a 15 year old son, Randy. We have two model T's: A 1926 Coupe and a 1926 Fordor. Merry Christmas to all. Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John F. Regan on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:37 am:

In chronological order I have done the following:

Newspaper boy (age 12-15)
Ham radio operator (15-present)
Grocery Store clerk (15-18)
Assembly line worker for Allis Chalmers (18-20)
R&R Lead Guitar in a couple of rock bands (18-25)
Recording artist with one of better bands(24)
Held NHRA record with brother Pat (18-22) (small block Chev drag racing)
Finally got Associate Degree in EE from SIU (23)
Employed by Bell Telephone Labs as computer programmer on ESS system (23-26)
Employed by Rockwell Wescom as hardware tech, then design engineer, then supervisor of analog design
Got 8 patents for Rockwell as design engineer (27-35)
Cofounded Televation Telecommunication Systems, Inc. (35-55)
Founded Fun Projects, Inc. (44-present)
Sold my half of Televation in 1998 and retired to design T stuff (my loud shriek against technology-ha ha). (55)

Life is good. (64) Merry Christmas


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Campbell on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:55 am:

High School band director 1969-84
University professor/band director 1984-92
High School band director 1992-present, but retiring at the end of this school year.
Have also done much professional playing during this time.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By scott Rosenthal on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:56 am:

Jim Patrick:
Can you send me your home Email contact please? You requested information that I have been unable to send using your Forum address. Please froward this to srosenthal@fuse.net.
Best Regards,
Scott


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By johnd on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:01 pm:

Born on a dairy farm, Dad built farm machinery(post hole diggers, blades 3 pt, post drivers, OEM parts) took over after grandfather in late 30's, grandfather started the blacksmith shop in 1910, I went to local colleges, and Cal Poly in SLO Calif, graduated in 1965, came back To Fulton Mo to help run the farm, milked 1400 Registered Holsteins cow-to carton till 1972, Dad shut it down, then went to Simmental cattle, got up to 3/4 area of cattle and Dad passed away in 1975, Mom died 1978, Farm quote ran out of money to pay me, so would bale and sell Hay, cutfirewood and sell, went to work off farm at MFA (Mo Farmers Assoc) feed store 5 yrs, got laid off divorced first wife,had 2 adopted children, went to work for myself, remarried, she had a daughter, did backhoe, bucket work, skid steer work, small single axle dump truck, hauled anything legal, gravel, dirt top and fill, broken concrete, Do lawn mowing serv with leased 28 HP Grasshopper DISEL 72 in deck, have snowplowed and spread salt for 30 yrs, and have been in MTFCA since 1966, formed our chapter in 1976, still have the 26 TT bought when I was in high school, restored in 1975-6, restored a 26 T touring, drove the wheels off it, wore it out needed rebuilding, so sold it, have the makins for another, drive a 23 rdster now, have 2-26-7 2 dr sedans and26-7 rdster pick-up, 25 wood cab TT and speedster makins here, too many projects, Have sold T and TT parts all my life, I'm not a mechanic, have to depend on others, but I keep finding parts, happily married 19 yrs, kids are grown, have there own kids, still have 555 acres of dirt, lots of buildings to keep T and TT parts in. Merry Xmas and Happy New Year to one and all.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob poane on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:19 pm:

Chiropractor for 24 years. "I can fix bodies better than I can fix cars" - I said that to the local newspaper editor years ago. She thought it was funny so she featured a nice article on my first 1914 Model T Hack in the local newspaper.

Also have an allergy clinic and I taught anatomy and physiology for the first time this past semester at the community college.

I love my model T, wood working and photoshop elements (digital photography.)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By paul griesse on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:21 pm:

Sold my manufacturing company (mgt. buyout) 2 years ago. Plants located in India, Kuala Lampur and Holland as well as Hdqtrs in Sunbury Ohio.Started my "retirement" planning 4 years ago by building a new shop on my farm,with a lift,paintbooth, machine shop and all of the ammenities to facilitate my 35 year interest in restoring my antique Fords. Best part of retirement is elimination of domestic and international travel---now its only for fun. Paul


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:53 pm:

Darn, Bob, could I use you this morning. Come work on my neck and I'll fix your T.
Raised on a ranch in eastern Montana, now it would be called subsistance farming, got a T when I was 13, have pretty much had one since. Got out of high school and went to college a year, quit to help my mother when my dad got hurt, spent several years helping her and roughnecking in the oil patch--mostly worked derricks-- driving truck, working road construction, tending bar and playing music along with teaching in one room schools in eastern Montana. After he died and she moved to town, went on the road playing music and trucking, finally went back to college and finished a degree in elementary education and a masters in administration, taught school -- 5th grade mostly -- in Helena for ten years, quit to go in the auction business and back to playing music. Grandfather and father violin makers, worked with Ben Setran to learn more about violin making and repair for a couple years and have been doing repair for 40 + years. Spent every dime I ever made on cars, women, big steaks and good whiskey, trying to stay in business and enjoy life at the same time. Auction business better and worse, still self unemployed, still a bachelor, still broke, still out playing Western Swing & Honky Tonk music, writing and recording, still fixing fiddles and working on Model T's. Have written a couple books and a lot of songs you never heard. After my mother died I bought what was left of our ranch from my brothers and sister, also have a little ranch here that I am getting ready to sell. That will be my retirement money if it all works out. Auction business slow, been selling off my Model T parts and rebuilding Ruckstells last few years along with doing music stuff to make a living. Fell off the damn roof a couple weeks ago and have had the flu for a week or better. Going to be a long winter but could always be worse. Be 65 next week. Don't regret much of it, always a few things you would do different when you look back. Among the best days of my life so far was the day I told the principal I wouldn't be back next year. Might have been the best day of his, too, you never know. I do know that when the auction business was really rolling, on the road all the time, working all the hours I could, people on the payroll and I was in good health and making good money I was happier than the best day I ever had working for somebody else. I miss that now but I couldn't keep up with the pace anymore even if the business was out there to get.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ron Patterson on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:02 pm:

Now I rebuild Model T coils, generators and starters
Before that I did the following:
Born in Oregon.
Grew up in Southern California.
Trained as electrical engineer.
Worked in the telephone central office switching and military tactical communication arena.
Traveled to all 50 United States and 150 foreign countries.
Lived in following countries: Iran 1974-1979, Egypt 1980, Italy 1981, China 1983-1985, Germany 1991-1992, Taiwan 1993-1995
Retired 2002
62 Years old.
Live in Nicholasville, Kentucky
If I never get on another airplane it will be just fine.
Ron the Coilman


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ryan Miller on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:11 pm:

Private Banker
Nashville, TN
Age- 30

23 touring
25 roadster...almost


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Spainhower on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 01:38 pm:

I was a planetarium director for 21 years. The job was about diverse as it gets - all parts of show production, research, scripting, directing, soundtrack production and editing (although I had a great audio engineer who did most of that), plus special effects projector design and construction, automation systems, and of course, show presentation. The live shows were the most challenging, because we tried to keep them a cut above the (yawn) traditional star lecture. Headset mic, two tape decks and a mixing board for a decent sound bed, an array of controls for about a hundred projectors, all operated in the dark while teaching astronomy to 140 grade school kids. Total kick in the pants.

Then one day, a pinhead in middle management decided to let all but one of the staff go and switch to buying "canned" shows. Most of the production staff became self-employed to avoid doing hard time for what might happen to the next pinhead middle manager . I'm currently doing web design, database programming, and I.T. work for a number of small businesses. But... because I enjoyed projector and control system design so much, I put together my own machine shop and electronics shop in the basement, and still work on contract with other planetariums that don't have a technical staff.

And, all that equipment comes in really handy for working on the Model T too!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Patrick - (2) '26's - Bartow, FL on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 02:22 pm:

Hey Bruce. Was that you giving the show at Griffith Observatory on Rebel Without a Cause? Those kids were annoying weren't they?! LOL!

Nice '26 Fordor. I have one just like it that will be Maroon one day, when I can get around to restoring it. Merry Christmas. Jim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Noel Denis Chicoine, MD on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 03:21 pm:

I grew up on a corn/soybean farm with a grade A dairy, dropped out of college and built semi-trailers. I then went to motorcycle mechanic school in Florida and worked as a bike mechanic until I broke my ankle racing one and went back to college. One thing led to another and now I've been a Family Practice physician for the past 23 years. I'm also an Associate Professor for the South Dakota School of Medicine.

1923 Touring
1926 nearly running chasis


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyrone thomas on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 03:48 pm:

Bob poane. After years of resisting the digital age I finely got a digital 35 format. I Love the heck out of it. 200 shots without loading film? However and a big however, I will NEVER give up my medium format film black and whites. I believe digital will never give the rich b/w contrast that film and hand development will. Would like to see your work. Opps, I'm side tracking.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bruce Spainhower on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:13 pm:

Jim - No, I'm up in Portland. The planetarium was at the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, but trust me, the kids on any given day could be either real annoying or real gems.

The photo of the '26 Fordor in my profile was taken the day I picked it up (lucky find). It's a late '26, so from what I've read, the Channel Green is the right color. I gotta say, I'd prefer the Maroon though. Anyway, it's polishing up real nice and looks even better now, except it's currently torn down for some mechanical work. I'll update the photo once it's back together. - Bruce


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael F. Thomas on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:21 pm:

Grocery business 10 years, Iowa National Guard 224th Combat Engineers 6years, I did body work and rebuild wrecked cars for 10 years. Went back to college in '79 and got my teaching degree. I taught 4th grade in Iowa one year, and then moved to Barrow, Alaska to teach for 18 years. While there I taught science, math, computers, metal shop and small engines. In addition to teaching in Alaska I did commercial refrigeration and restaurant equipment repair, installed and service boilers and heating systems and in our "spare time" my wife and I build 17 houses in 18 years. I retired at age 46 in 1998. We moved back to Iowa and now my wife and I now operate a pool and spa business where we specialize in automatic pool covers, build high end inground pools and sell parts and chemicals for pools and spas. After working 75 to 80 hours a week in Alaska we thought 40 hours a week is retirement. In the last 2 years I rebuilt my Dad's 25 coupe from the ground up. After tinkering and maintainig my own cars for years it was fun to see where it all started with Henry Ford. I gained a new appreciation for terms like "floor boards" and "dimmer switch"


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ed Montgomery on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:30 pm:

I am a plastics engineer and work with many tool and die customers comes in handy when i need parts made. We also raise horses here.." American Curly & Tennessee Walkers" We are in Palmyra NY. Great to hear from all the T guys out there. I read the FORUM avidly...post seldom. Bought first "T" 1968 ed


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Verne Shirk on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:31 pm:

I started out selling pop bottles and collecting old newspapers for recycle. That allowed my to afford a few Model T parts back in the mid to late 60's. My first real job was working for Coleman (the camping equipment people) as a design draftsman right out of high school. After about 15 months of that, I spent the remainder of my time, while going to Wichita State U., as a draftsman for an miscellaneous metal fabricator in the construction industry. Upon graduation, with a mechanical engineering degree, I went to work for the local electric company as a power generation engineer eventually becoming a maintenance manager, and now a materials manager. I worked on many special projects including power plant life assessment, environmental projects, and major turbine-generator overhauls. I designed numerous tools for the local nuclear power plant. One of which even won an honorable mention award in the Professional Design Competition sponsored by Lincoln Electric. I still have more than a decade to go before I can consider retiring.
Verne Shirk
Wichita, KS


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ray Elkins on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 04:41 pm:

Posts by Stan, Richard, and several others prompted me to list another of my past vocations; I played drums with several southern rock, country, and blues bands from the time I was 19 until 28. I had the opportunity twice to tour with bands, both now are recording and somewhat well-known. With two young children, I opted out. Never regretted it so far anyway!
Ray


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By karl schlachter on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 06:44 pm:

Installed fire sprinklers in commercial buildings. Am now ASE certified technician. Mr. Pawelek, I graduated an Aggie this past saturday. Do you have family at Baylor


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Pappas on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:00 pm:

Retired College teacher (English and Folklore and Greek Civilization).
64.
California.
Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year too!!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lewis R. Rash on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:05 pm:

Nuclear Medicine. Healthcare Adeministration.

Politically correct: Happy Winter Soltice Holiday, but I say Merry Christmas.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Pawelek on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:27 pm:

Karl, Six Texas A&M Graduates in the immediate family but no known Baylor Bears! Could be distant cousins that I've never met....:-)....Michael Pawelek


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard G.Goelz Knoxville,Tn on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:43 pm:

Retired, residential and light commercial heating and air conditioning designer,sales man, regional manager 47 years in the business,enough is enough.like Ron i think i have Boeing butt.
Rick


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chuck Hoffman on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:46 pm:

Recently retired after 21 years as a heavy equip. mechanic. Drove truck for 7 years, did auto upholstery, body and paint, welding/fab, computer system administrator, bum, loafer. Was pretty good at the last two.........


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Walker, NW AR. on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:50 pm:

Four years in the Coast Guard, then five in school, with a degree in Architecture. Design/build for a few years, woodworking for about 25. For the past 10 years, I've been making a living (such as it is) by moving large boulders around and enabling water to go downhill.

Like this:

h2o-fall

And this:

another

Since I've always worked for myself and have no retirement, I'll need to work until I die. At least I'm slowing down a bit and having fun with my T's in the meantime.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darel Leipold on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 07:52 pm:

I own a store in Excelsior, MN along with my wife. Also own a small commercial building in Excelsior. Been in business 36 years. Before that a high school principal and teacher. Before that a statistian for the Minneapols Star and Tribune. Before that a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. Grew up in Minnesota. When in college I ran a mail order business for Model T Ford parts. Manufactured dog bone and winged radiator caps and reproduced Ford patent date plates. At 75 not retired. Too busy to retire. At my store I like to rework vintage graphics and make then into posters.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Schwendeman on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:05 pm:

Retired 6 years ago as Senior Special Agent for the Union Pacific Railroad Police Department in Seattle. In 1968, started with the Milwaukee Road in Chicago where I was born and raised; hired out as patrolman, promoted to sergeant, then lieutenant, transfering to Deer Lodge, Montana where I worked as a "line lieutenant" handling the territory between Three Forks, Montana and Avery, Idaho, (a pretty darn big chunk of railroad) until the Milwaukee Road filed for bankruptcy in 1980; then hired out as Special Agent with Union Pacific Railroad Police Dept. in Seattle for 22 more years until retiring in 2002. Western railroads like UPRR called us "Special Agents", while most eastern railroads called us Railroad Detectives or Railroad Police Officers; railroad men and (others) called us "cinderdicks", "yard bulls", "gumshoes", and still others called us things that I wouldn't admit to.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 08:59 pm:

Retired in '91 from Pacific Bell as an outside plant engineer. Went back on contract and now 16 years later am still working contract for AT&T quality checking the records. in January will have 52 years in the Telephone business. Before that I worked in automible repair while in High School.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:33 pm:

Wow, are we a diverse group or what?

After ROTC in college (graduation 1963) spent four years at Little Rock AFB Arkansas.
A year later picked up and moved to Europe (without a job).
Spent a year in France (working for a subsidiary of Paramount Pictures) and almost nine years in Holland working for a subsidiary of Paramount and Universal. Arrived in Holland single and left with a wife and daughter.
(Shipped a 1936 Austin to the US when we moved back in 1977 and drove it 6,500 miles from New York to St. Louis via lots of other places.)
Spent the next fourteen years at various middle management jobs (auto repair chain, convention recording company, custom software company).
In 1992, discovered the world of freelance translation and finally knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. For the last fifteen years, I have been a freelance translator (Dutch to English) working for translation companies around the country. My wife does the same thing (English to Dutch) and can be earning money while we're on a Model T tour.
Am also the honorary Consul of The Netherlands in St Louis, which takes a fair amount of time and produces a little income (but gives me neat license plates).
I'm in the same situation as Mike - no pension - so my retirement plan is to work as long as I can and then die quickly of something reasonably painless.
Have had the T for the last 11 years. Did one tour in 2004, two in 2005, three in 2006 and four this year. Anyone see a trend here?

Oh, and to the daughter, I added two sons. The daughter and older son are married, and I have four grandchildren (three officially, and after the adoption hearing tomorrow morning where my son adopts his stepson, it will officially be four).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Darren J Wallace on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:38 pm:

Tool and Die Machinist & Millwright by day.
50's 60's rock bass guitarist by night.
Restorations for antique musical boxes and phonographs.
Full time father to 3 teenage boys and 1 pre-teen girl.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Fultz on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 09:54 pm:

Man what a thread!! In 1955 i had to get a work permit to wash pots &pans in a hotel. Been married for 46 yrs to the same lady. 2 children and 3 grand kids. After what I've seen above, I'm about ashamed to say what I did for the last 50 yrs. Never out of work except 1 week for fighting on the job. I have a few hit&miss engines and machined some working models from scratch. See photo of a 20HP oilwell engine in my front yard.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:21 pm:

This is the most incredible thread I ever read. I have had such a huge diverse life, from farm work, law enforcement, construction, furniture, building mainenance etc. etc. but nothing compared to many of you. There is such a huge difference in tallents in here. If we could form a team from this forum, we could build a space shuttle from a junk yard! We could staff it with pilots, Doctors, nurses, and it's own security force. It is a pleasure to have conversations with each and every one of you.

You know the great part? Until this thread,we had no idea what others did. Nobody acts any different, better or worse than anybody else. The range goes from Doctor, Lawyer, Mechanic, carpenter, Nurse, and even Laborers. About anything you can immagine, But here..........

We are all just model T nuts! It is good to have you guys as fellow hobbiests!

Tim, Bolivar, Ohio


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Hal Davis on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:26 pm:

Mechanical Engineer. Past 11 years as a design engineer. Recently took position as Maintenance Supervisor, which I also did for about 5 years before getting into design. Which do I like better? Don't know. I do enjoy CAD work, but it can get awfully boring sometimes. Maintenance is always something different, and always something going on.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Costain on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:30 pm:

Grew up on 65 cow dairy farm in eastern Ohio. Am a retired NAVY Chief Petty Officer(Aviation)Served Squadrons- VC-11 TBMs and Skyraiders- HC-1,HC-4, HSL-30, had H2 seasprites, VR-21 C-118s NATTU and NAS Jacksonville.Ships Company on USS Ticonderoga CV-14 and with Air Groups on USS Valley Forge CV-45, USS Kearsarge CVS-33 and USS Coral Sea CVA-43. Lived 3 years on Naval Air Station Barbers Point Oahu, Hawaii. Retired USN Sept.1974
Steel worker 3 years- Culligan Water Conditioning
for 6 years- Supervised 24 employees in large cemetery 16 years.
Am 77 years and got my 1st T 9 months ago and having a good time with it and getting much help from this forum. Will celebrate 55 years wed on Dec. 20-- My regret is not getting a T sooner in life-- Thank you.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:32 pm:

Hey Joe,
Where in eastern Ohio? Ever hear of a Blanchard working for Culligan? You can't be that far from me!

Tim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:36 pm:

Hey Robert Fultz......I gotta jump on you for something! You said you are ashamed to say what you did for the past 50 years. Unless it was against the law, or drinking beer while beating the wife, there is ABSOLUTELY nothing to be ashamed of. And by the way, drinking beer without beating the wife is fine! lol....An honest days work is nothing to be ashamed of. At any wage!

Tim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:43 pm:

Robert, if I'd have been off the job for a week for fighting on the job when I was working in the oil patch and playing in those oil field & rodeo bars, I'd still be out of work. Oh, to be young and tough again!!!! What the heck, just to be young and THINK I was tough.
In retrospect, I think that's the way it was anyway. I never was much of a fighter, some of those guys lived to prove how tough they were. I was a big old fat happy kid with a guitar and a grin and never had a lot of trouble in the bars. Did have a couple dusties with other guys on the oil rigs but I pretty well learned to keep my mouth shut around the Okies and the Texans, a lot of them were about half nuts and thought it would be fun to cripple you for life. Rough place in those days. Playing in the beer joints paid better, was a lot warmer, dryer and cleaner and had a much higher chance of late night entertainment than roughnecking on the rigs did. =)
Now I'm so fat and out of shape I couldn't whip the lot boy at Wally World to steal a cart to take my dumpster supper back to my cardboard box under the bridge, let alone some tough guy on a drilling rig. Only good thing would be that I could roll out of the way faster when I hit the ground. I don't have any flat spots left. Round all around. Like Mike and some others, no retirement, have to work the morning of my funeral.
On a serious note, I was thinking that I also was in the water well drilling business for several years with a partner out of Billings and for the last 12 years have produced and hosted a radio show dedicated to Montana musicians and traditional musicians such as fiddle players and cowboy singers on Montana Public Radio Network.
I don't want to knock this thread too far off the track but I was in Arkie country this fall installing some Ruckstells with Mike Walker and if you don't think somebody can be an artist with 15 ton rocks you haven't seen Mike's water feature at the new Fayetteville Botanical Gardens. It is just gorgeous. It's hard to believe that the stream hasn't been running through there for a million years and the Gardens built around it but he built it with a track hoe last year. He has several around Fayetteville including one right down town by a big old building they made an art colony or something like that out of.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Moore on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:47 pm:

Started out as a pipe layer but after 5 years of that looked around at the other guys who were all worn out at 50. Worked for a vet while in pre-vet med and became the dog groomer for a year. Went to work in a factory that made infant formula and worked in the microbiology department for 12 years while in and out of school. They were down sizeing so I became the "in house exterminator". After they downsized they rightsized then capsized. Out of work at 35 with 3 children--the youngest 1 year old. Hired in at MSU as a pest controller / animal control. Incorporated as a private business at the same time. Worked for the cops for 10 years then got moved to "Environmental Health and Safety". Still in business after 12 years.

Currently still protect University research from animal damage and all campus needs for pest problems. The photo isn't a dog--it is a coyote earlier this month that would have eventually gotten into the sheep research farm. Run around all night either with a sprayer or a rifle, or both. coyote


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By keith g barrier on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 10:52 pm:

Have been a gear head since the age of 14, now 56,worked as mechanic on heavy equip., trucks and autos ever since. currently with the operating engineers contracted to Tennessee valley authority doing maintance on all types of equipment. Work on my 24 tudor every chance I get. Keith B


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By tyrone on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:00 pm:

Robert Fultz, I agree with Tim, a MAN is measured by whats in his heart, not whats in his pocket.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Albert Belling on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:05 pm:

Engineering tech. with the Wisconsin DOT for 34 years. Retired now and every day is Saturday except Sunday. That day we go to church.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mack Jeffrey Cole on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:29 pm:

From about 14 to 18 I picked up cans and bottles.Went to college and got my 2 year degree in electronic engineering.Funny how I read a artical about 1985 saying Ibm couldnt get enough employees.I go to college,I get out after it took me 3 years to get the degree,the next day with the certificate laying on the table,the newspaper headlines said,"IBM lays off 3000 people."
So I got a job in 88 working on amusement equipment,video games,pinball machines,pool tables and that sort of thing.Still have nightmares steming from the time I shorted out the mother board on 1 of the pinball machines and the robots were comeing after me.That job lasted till about a week before Christmas in 91.Got layed off.Feb of 92 began work with NCDOT as a sign helper,1.5 years later "promoted" to sign erector which I did for 12.5 years before getting injured in a vehical accident october of 05 after that night race at Lowes motor speedway.So as a result of that I am now retired on long term disabilty and waiting for workers comp to settle up and the insureance company.Frankly I wish i could wake up and go back to work in the morning.I doubt I would ever have the heart to complain about a job ever again.There are folkes out there in the world that gripe about working or thier jobs,If They were disabled for a while and not be able to work then they would relize their full potiential and what it feels like to loose your sense of purpose and self reliance.Most folkes would never complain again I bet.


Anyhow,During college I did landscapeing work,got good at it,loved it,shoulda done that for a liveing.
I picked up cans while in college to to help buy gas for my car and pay my amatuer radio club dues.Which I droped out of after a while.Seemed all they wanted to do was play with those stinking little 2 meter repeaters.I wanted to play with the big multitube antique radios and do morse code.
Also used to do alot of lawnmower repair for the neighbor hood.Mostly drove to the machines and repaired them onsite.Mostly to help others but made some money.I have about stopped doing it since the accident.I have to much bad luck with my own stuff.I dont want to buy everybody elses I screw up to.

But honestly,All I wanted to do,was work my job till I retired,get another job driveing a truck cross country for a couple years.But that wont happen now.Cant get a health card for my cdl's anymore.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Cascisa in Poulsbo, WA on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:31 pm:

Invited into the Army for two years.
Went to Camp Vietnam – Found my wife of 37 years.
Aircraft Electrician for the National Guard (OV-1 Mohawks mainly) for 11 years.
Electronic Technician (civilian) for the Navy on Underwater Vehicles for 12 years.
Retired Civil Service after 25 years.
Got my EE degree.
Electrical Engineer for a prosthetics company.
Electrical Engineer for a Bio-Tech company.
Freelance Industrial Controls Engineer.
Now an Electrical Engineer for an Aerospace Company. (Be careful what you fly in :-))
59.1 years old
Diagnosed with A.P.C.D – Acute Progressive Chronographic Dysfunction (OLD AGE) lol
Work on antique radios and Model T’s
Collect special light bulbs.

Love this forum.

Be_Zero_Be


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Richard on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:33 pm:

I'm a senior Mechanical Engineering Student, trying to figure out what is next.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Robert Fultz on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:34 pm:

Well I worked for a local Dunlop tire dealer starting in 1958 for 18 yrs. Then went to Sears Auto center for 28 yrs doing alignments and brakes and retired from there. Thank God I invested in their profit sharing program. Man, no I never laid a hand on her as she was a good cook and I'd like to wakeup in the morning. One afternoon I was taking a nap when she poked me. I rolled over and there she was with a rifle wanting how to load it. She was trying to put 22 pellets in a lever action 22 cal rifle to shoot a cat diging in the flower bed.. Scared the sh--- out of me. 1914 Leader Iron Works


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Robb on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:38 pm:

I'm 72 and still running two businesses.
A magazine publishing company,
A boat accessory manufacturing company.
Ex-3rd Air Force, 85th Bomb Sqdrn., RAF Station Sculthorpe, England.
Northrop Aeronautical Institute Grad.
U.S. Coast Guard Licensed 100-ton Master.
On my 3rd wife, Elsa, finally the love of my life.
1st Model T, been a Ford man since my '30 A roadster, my 1st car.
Would like to get with Mike Seager and fly the wings off one of those Ultralights of his.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steven G. Williams on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:39 pm:

Paper route as youth, put myself thru college and seminary welding and building incinerators and working at a grain elevator. Ordained minister for 39 years, serving local congregations. Married to same woman 39 years. Currently learning to be a Model T mechanic, and learning to play the pipe organ. AT 59 yrs. won't retire for a while, unfortunately! ;-)
Merry Christmas!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gilbert V. I. Fitzhugh on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:56 pm:

Life insurance actuary for 34 years. Retired early at 55. Interesting, but I can't imagine more useless preparation for owning ancient automobiles. Other past and current hobbies: some wooden boatbuilding, flying in small airplanes and (mostly) soaring gliders, bicycle touring, skiing, learning to speak foreign languages badly.

Gil Fitzhugh, age 71, Morristown, NJ


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Jelf on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 11:57 pm:

Taught grade school in southern California for seventeen years. Escaped the urban nightmare to Kansas. Worked as a janitor in a burger joint while starting a business making reproduction vintage signs (Packard, Studebaker, Nash, etc.).
ScreeningScreening
By 1998 I was making signs full time. Three years ago I sold the business to a company that has lots of dough, and now I make signs for them. Working 42 hours a week for the company sure beats 60 or 70 a week when I worked for me, and it pays a lot better.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Lynn Meeks on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 12:05 am:

First job was a small engine mechanic,(lawn mowers & chain saws)
Next was a wireman, supervisor then Quality manager at a electrical equipment factory.
Now a quality manager/inspector at a small machine shop for the commercial and military aerospace industries. In other words we make airplane parts.
Lynn


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jim kirkpatrick on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 12:16 am:

Worked at the auto parts store out of high school for one year.I have spent the last 30 years as a lineman for the power company in Baltimore Md.I enjoy playing with my Fords in my spare time. I have restored all of these except the T it will be my retirement project if I can stop driving it.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne in Malvern PA on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 12:32 am:

Cell/Molecular Biologist and long-range planner/futurist for a pharmaceutical company. Avocations as husband, dad, and karate instructor as well as old car, old airplane, and WWII aviation historian.

Grew up around airplanes and the airline industry -- Dad helped to develop the aerial navigation system in use today as the first employee at Jeppesen & Co. after he mustered out of the Army Air Corps in 1945 (most pilots know what the "Jepps" are).


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jack daron-Indy. on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 12:50 am:

Started as a kid mowing grass,went to cooking in a drive-in resturant at 15 for three summers,After I started college,worked as an electrician's helper in the oil fields,worked for nine days in a Pottery,got layed off,so I went to painting Bridges and Buildings for the ICRR. Traveled over 20,000 miles and never left the state. Loaded dry freight trucks two summers and worked as a starting chemist one. After college,went to work for a major oil company. After 25 years as a chemist/superviser ,I took an early retirement at age 49 1/2. That was in 1992 and been happy ever since.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Michael Nowlin on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 01:11 am:

I repaired and rebuilt Deutz, Cummins, and John Deere diesel engines for a local business during high school. After graduating from technical school, I worked as an Automotive Technician for a Cadillac dealer for several years. I have been teaching postsecondary Automotive Service Technology for the past 5 years and working on my degree in history.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By johnd on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 01:45 am:

All you ultra-lite guys that fly, I have a grass airport with 2-1800 foot strips, we lease it to the Ultra-lite club here in Fulton Mo, they have 5 hangers of varius sizes, they fly till weather is bad, all colors and kinds, I drive a T, I DON"T fly, Dad built the strips in 1943, so John Deere, J I Case, Ford and others could fly there twin engines in here for schools to be able to sell DANUSER farm equiptment, as they were trained Hands on here, they could explain it better to there customers, in 2010 DMC will be 100 yrs old


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Sanders on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 02:21 am:

Well this ain't very interesting but here goes. I got a work permit at 12 for a job at the Gulf station in our neighborhood. At the time that was the coolest job ever,pumping gas,checking fluid levels and tire pressure. I couldn't wait to here the bell ring when the next customer arrived...all that fun for $1.25 an hour.During and after high school I worked as a draftsman for automotive wiring manufacturer in Montgomery Alabama. My future father in law got me interested in photography and I tried college for a couple of years after deciding I wanted to become a photojournalist. Just didn't have the patience for book learning (there was not a photography major) so I dropped out and married to my beautiful wife of 32 years. I Got my first break as a photographer at Maxwell AFB working for a civilian contractor, burned a lot of film and learned a great deal. Had a chance to open a studio for some money guys in 1980 in the little college town of Auburn Alabama (home of Auburn University...War Eagle!) Bought the business in '84 and I'm still at it. I think I've done ok for a self taught bone head...two kids and two grandkids later. I have always enjoyed bust'n knuckles on cars,mostly out of necessity in the early years. Knuckle bust'n on my newly acquired T hobby has been a real hoot. Like some of you guys I have been self employed all these years, seeing my friends retire after careers in "real" jobs makes me a little jealous. I've had a fun job for 30 years, photographed the spectrum from Rosa Parks to George Wallace and everything in between. When and if I can ever retire I would like to concentrate on the art of photography, sell a few prints and take it easy. Here are some examples from my "Rust Art" collection...let me know what you think. Seth, I've got some pretty cool stuff from N.O. You could spend a year in that town just photographing architecture.Thank y'all for your indulgence.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Randy Schultz-Rathbun on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 04:10 am:

I spent 26 years active and reserve in the Air Force, flying combat rescue and special ops helicopters mostly. "Retired" and went to work flying helicopters for Life Flight in Portland where I get to see lots of messy car and motorcycle wrecks, occaisionally land on the freeway. Now I'm managing the aviation side of Life Flight. I never want to see any of you on the side of the road while I'm at work!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.M.Head on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:05 am:

yes, we are a diverse group, many professionals, many experts...folks from all walks of Life. I started with a paper route at 10, bought and sold antique car parts from 11-16, got my first "real job" shoveling manure and digginf pasture fence posts, then working in a seafood processing plant, fast food, then university, then university administartor, commercial interior designer, qualitative and quantitative marketing research analyst, and then my work as Natl Dir (Taiwan)with GAC/ACT Education Solutions.

We all walk different pathways through life, and there is an old axiom that comes to mind - it matters not what you do, but that you do it well.

I rub shoudlers with ambassadors, captains of industry, academics, labourers, and folks who are working their way up.

I have friends who are wealthy (in the hundreds of millions), celebrities, single parents, and others scratching to pay the rent. Many of these folks I have met through the hobby, and nobody gives a darn about where you are on the economic ladder, just that you love old cars and treat people right.

I have been rich, broke, and inbetween. Life goes up and down.

What has been a constant is the enjoyment I get from this hobby, so, certainly, an interesting thread, and probably worthy of a sociological thesis!

Let's not forget the internatinoal element - I have lived all over the world, met hobbyists from all sorts of places. With few exceptions, a handshake will do for business, and real hospitality is the norm.

Now, for those of you reading this, I will ask, who are you mentoring?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By R.M.Head on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:09 am:

and i noticed on re-reading the thread, a lot of us started with paper routes!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John McGinnis on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:53 am:

This may sound up like a resume, but at 70 I am enjoying life and am not looking for a job, I have plenty.
Then, 1950 – 1995
Had many jobs and learned a lot. Model T restoration, electronics hobbyist and technician, welder, professional drag racing, auto body, Ford assembly line (1959), Army electronics, mechanical and electrical engineer and 40 years of designing and building combat military vehicles. Ended up as Engineering Manager for the Bradley Fighting Vehicle and Manager of R&D developing high power electrical propulsion systems for cars and heavy vehicles.
Now, 1995 – present
Doing what I love. Left all the rest behind and am enjoying life on the farm growing premium wine grapes in the mountains at the fringe of Silicon Valley/San Jose, CA. Mountain terrain challenges the Ts but all of them have lots of gears. The Model T hobby has oozed into antique tractors which have a challenge of their own. Unfortunately, not much time left for Ts except for maintenance.
I’m enjoying this thread because it brings out so much about the members of this hobby…and serves as a great expansion of personal profiles.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kirk Peterson on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 11:26 am:

I started out with my Dad getting me a job with him in a machine shop in North Hollywood. Then after various stints at gas stations, a frame and wheel shop and Balboa Auto Parts, I landed a clerical position with the New Mexico Department of Motor Vehicles. I found working at the DMV was very enjoyable and it led to my current occupation as an IT Application Analyst.

Kirk Peterson
Santa Fe, NM


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tyler Searle on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 02:06 pm:

Began with a paper route and then started working on farms at about 13. Mostly shoveling
manure and throwing hay bales all summer. After school worked in construction out near Denver until fall then came back to N.Y. and became a cheese maker. Couple years of that then started hauling milk (in cans) for the local Amish. Five years of that was enough then became sporting goods manager for Woolworths. Little over a year of that was enough then worked with emotionally disturbed juvenile delinquents for the next 13 years until I started to become one myself. Drove tri-axel dump trucks in construction and liquid manure trucks until my back said no more. For the last four years have been back at the cheese factory where I'm the farm inspector/trustee/troubleshooter/interpreter.
Never made much money but had a lot of fun along the way.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Paul Vitko on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 03:36 pm:

Began with a paper route. In high school I started in construction framing and later maintenance with the parks department. Junior and senior years were spent in a custom furniture shop. At twenty I was a journeyman cabinet maker.from twenty to thirty five building, remodel, and disaster restoration with Oregon home Improvement company. From thirty five to almost sixty five I have been a self employed now semi retired builder on the Oregon coast.
Now Michael Seager has the cool job!! He flew his ultra lite from Vernonia to the Astoria airport in twelve minutes to pick up a ten tooth pinion gear from me. It would have taken me over an hour to drive it!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 03:49 pm:

Paul, if he had tried that trip in the 125 mph winds you had recently, he might have ended up at PDX or Pendleton or Pocatello...

It's better to be on the ground, wishing you were flying;
than be flying, wishing you were on the ground..

rdr


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By bob sell on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 03:54 pm:

i am an auctioneer please check out our website

www.sellsauction.com


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dennis Brown on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 06:27 pm:

Started working in a butcher shop, went on to working in a small sawmill, then to a automotive trade school for 2 years and out as a Ford mechanic at $1.25 an hour. Took a job as an engineering aid with the Govt. and traveled with them for almost 2 years then went to law enforcement and did not make it so got married and moved to the west coast and have worked as a truck and heavy equipment mechanic for almost 40 years with the last eight as leadman. The last 30 years has been with one of the largest private owned timber companies in the US.Married for 39 years and have about a year left to work, then hope to move to the warmer climate of Florida and leave the beautiful trees and mountains of Oregon and work on my long put off project of Model T's


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Benjamin B. Cochran on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:10 pm:

Began working as a kid doing chores for my parents around the home. Makeing my bed, setting the table, sweeping the steps, mowing, weeding etc.(do kids have to do that stuff anymore?) First paying job was washing dishes for two summers, then painting houses for another two summers. Next I worked doing odd jobs around a farm which also included some antique furniture refinishing and tinkering with anitque autos. Went to University of New Hampshire and somehow managed to get a BA in studio arts. Worked every weekend and summers through college at a service station pumping gas and changing oil. Took a month leave from the service station to go to a blacksmithing school.
Went to work with a childhood friend doing autobody and am still at that 30 years later. I do dedorative iron work on the side. I am also a commercial hot air balloon pilot and have had a weekend ride business for 16 years. I am looking forward to retirement and hope to drive my T to a lot of Habitat for Humanity sites to help out.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Rob Hudson on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:12 pm:

I am a paramedic, started young, now am under 30, and have a decade in!!! 1919 Canadian Touring, undergoing a slow, but thorough retoration, ground up!!!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By jkcallin on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:31 pm:

After Vietnam, I went to work in the funeral business as an embalmer. Seemed a normal transition, as I had seen plenty of death and this was, mostly, old folks dieing naturally. The hours and fairly low pay finally got to me and I left. Worked in auto body/paint, auto parts, Motion picture transportation, welder and finally a carpenter. Been in a same sex relationship for 38 years.....same woman, same sex. Two kids, one deceased, three grandkids


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Harold Bishop on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 09:32 pm:

Grew up on a friut and vegetable farm. Graduated from UCONN in 1957 and bought my own farm. We raise fruit and vegetables for our retail farm stand. Started working on my Model T in high school and have finally finished restoring it this past year.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Trish Bulger on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:14 pm:

Dad started us off young working at the Catholic cemetary and cleaning the church, snow removal, mowing etc. (He recently retired from a 30 year career there.) Through high school I worked nights and weekends at a dry cleaners and during summer vacations added days at the local plastic shop making toy guns. After high school I worked as a secretary at a mental health center and then moved onto bill collector for a trucking company. I did the "I do's" until I retired from marriage in 2000. I've kept up full time mom of 4 on part time hours. (I'm proud to say honor roll students with great wit, compassion and kindness.)
Since then I drove fork lift, built dry stone walls, did some sheet rock, Resource Coordinator, Office Manager and Executive Assistant. I think working for Lang's most resembles having four kids in 5 1/2 years! I'll leave all of you to figure that out ;) Anyway, after all that I can say I own my own T. How cool is that?


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tim Jeandrevin on Wednesday, December 19, 2007 - 10:58 pm:

Trish,
That is WAY cool!
Tim


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bryan Grube on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 06:50 am:

Currently a quality control specialist for a pharmaceutical company outside philadelphia. I manage testing of the water and gas systems and also present technical information for regulatory inspections (FDA, World Health Organization etc).

I have a agricultural engineering degree from PSU, started out after high school on various vegetable harvests on the east coast, first running then repairing large harvesting equipment. After graduation I worked as a maintenance supervisor and also a utilities/ powerhouse engineer for a few national food processing companies, my specialty was ammonia refrigeration, freeze drying and Process Safety managment work.

I'm married with two girls, one two and one four. They keep me busy. When not playing with the T I have a few old trucks and a couple antique tractors and stationary engines. Current project is a 1906 REO that my dad and I are trying to get running after being in storage for at least 20 years. Hope that wasn't too boring!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Sacchi on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 02:00 pm:

Retired fireman for the City of New York (FDNY).

Assigned to firehouses in Staten Island, Manhattan, and the Bronx.

Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Joe Cushing on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 02:29 pm:

I was raised on a mink farm and then a dairy farm I wound up being a journymen electrician / intrumentation tech in oil and chemical plants for Union oil, Cheveron, Texaco. retired at 46 because of health problems.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Steve Tomaso on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 02:31 pm:

Retired after 33 years as a Heavy Equipment Operator at 51 last March. Currently own and operating Steve's "T" Works in Milton,WA (Model T Ford Service, Repair & Parts)


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Kenny Edmondson on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 06:43 pm:

I grew up in a rural area so started off mowing lawns and helping farmers bale hay and straw and other chores. Went to work at a grocery as a bagger (remember those?)during high school. After High School I went to work for the L&N Railroad on a bridge gang where we built the wooded trestle bridges. Got tired of living in camp cars and traveling so I quit and got a job building automatic transmissions. Did that for a couple different companies then went to work for an International Harvester dealer working on trucks. I'm currently with a large truck leasing company. Been there for 26 years as a Jorneyman mechanic, Service Manager and currently a trainer for technicians.
Current hobbies include T's, repair and collect clocks, antique tractors (have an A JD) and hit & miss engines. The second best thing I like to drive (the 1st being my T) is a golf ball.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Baker on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 09:30 pm:

wow, what a group.
after 6 years USMC (1969 - 1975), i became a land surveyor then civil engineer. started my own engineering/survey company in 1984 which i still run with 8 empoyees. married my wife 1979 - 28 years this past november.

have been restoring T's and A's for 25 years as a part time hobby/business and continue today with a 5,000 sq.ft. garage and show room. we have 23 ford's from 1914 thru 1952 - 8 of which are T's.

jb


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By melvin birks on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 11:59 pm:

Flight engineer B-29 ww2 mortician 55 years now retired.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By joe stearns on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 12:13 am:

Well I turned 70 this month (I always thought that was "SO OLD") but I'm feeling great--look forward to each day with excitement-- just a big kid at heart I guess. I have been working on "OLD" cars and motorcycles most of my life.

My job life-- in backwords order:
-VP of a med. size Engr. & Mfg Co. for 9 yrs
-Retired from GM as Chief Engr. 32 yrs
-Mech. Engr. Degree--Mich.Tech class of 1960
-Auto Mechanic- Dad & Mom said "go to college"
-Mechanic-lawnmower shop about 2 yrs
-Construction worker off and on
-Janitor 1st real job--age 9
-Paper route

We have some Cars too:
-'15 Model T touring
-'26 Nash Ajax
-'31 Ford Pick-up
-'31 Ford Roadster
-'54 Corvette
-'65 Mustang Conv.
-'75 Buick Century
-'86 ElCamino Choo-Choo

I really love this forum--learn a lot--nice folks. Regards Joe


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Tom Tuominen on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 01:37 pm:

Retire Navy Chief, 20 years. Now I'm a government contractor supporting the test and evaluation programs for Navy aircraft ground support equipment.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Hester on Friday, December 21, 2007 - 05:56 pm:

First jobs were mowing yards, hugging bales of hay and plowing corn in Indiana. Then I followed a paver and helped a carpenter for a couple years. For four years in the USAF, I was an electronic technician on B-47's and Minuteman ICBM's.

I worked for and retired in 2003 from ITT after 40 years with one company on one project. My primary working career was at Vandenberg Air Force Base at Lompoc California on the contract that provided O&M services for the Western Test Range (WTR). The WTR provides technical and management services that allow missiles and rockets to be safely tested and launched from the west coast of the US. I started as an electronic technician, worked in most areas of the contract and served the last seven years as the Program Director.

I have and drive the '26 T that my mother bought in 1958 from the original owner for $35.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 12:19 am:

"...I was an electronic technician on B-47's..."

Wow, my era. When I got to Little Rock AFB in July 1963, the 384th Bomb Wing was flying B-47's. The next year, they were phased out and were replaced by the B-58s of the 43rd BW from Carswell. How time flies when you're having fun.... <g>


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Fred McDonald on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 01:06 am:

What a great group !!! Here is my list:
Grew up on a farm in Indiana and overhauled my first tractor when I was 16.
Went off to college - got married - raised 4 girls. As to career:
Manufacturing and plant engineer assistant
Sales with Lever Bros in Indianapolis Ind
Sales with Blue Cross Blue Shield in Kentucky
Owner of Restaurant business
Owner of Electronic Cash Register Dealership in 4 States
Owner of Auto Rental and Sales Business
Owner of Business Brokerage in Nashville Tn
Sales of Business Software Programs
Owner of Printing Business for 15 years
Sold it and now Sales Manager for same
Trying to wind down to retire in 08
Having a great time with Model T's and grandkids
Merry Christmas to all you great people
Fred McDonald
Murfreesboro, Tn


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Phil Gell on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 01:09 am:

Great thread.

Boring life. I was a sparky for a few years, now working as a volunteer helping people in remote villages in northern thailand. The most rewarding thing i have done in my life.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Don Sandberg on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 04:53 pm:

GIGOLO





I wish


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Sizemore on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 05:36 pm:

Was fired from my 1st job at 14 after finding out I wasn't old enough. Had several odd jobs including cutting pulp wood,repoman,DJ @uncle nite club,among others that we won't go into until 20. Most of 16 thru 20 was a blur. Married @ 21 moved to Buffalo (don't miss that at all) worked at a custom body shop till moved back home in 95. Dog trainer for 3 yrs. International airline rate negotiator for 4 yrs while building JRS Motorsports. Met Michelle in 2003, with her support and interest in old cars we continue to grow JRS and now Speedster Inc. Some where along the way I have three children. Been a full time dad since 91.

I have always been one to make a buck, do anything, go anywhere.
Being around the T crowd and finding a good women has really grounded me and has given me a different look at life at a much slower pace.

JS


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Mike Perigo on Saturday, December 22, 2007 - 09:17 pm:

I have been a high school counselor for 31 years and have loved every minute of it!!! You cannot beat working with teenagers....they keep you young and on your toes!!

Before that I taught French and science. During high school and college I was a DJ on our local station WKQV in Sullivan, IN 250 watts of raw power:-) Most ham operators had more power than us!!!

I have always liked old Fords. Our second car was a 31 Ford Coupe with a beer can for a radiator cap. My mom used to like to slide in next to my dad and say, " Honey let's pretend that you just got home from the Marines!!" I never knew what she was talking about :-)

After "The Absent-Minded Professor," I fell in love with T's!!

Mike


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Jim Weir on Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 01:52 pm:

'40 Paper boy
'42 Delivered milk for a Cousin, 50 cents a day.
'43 feed & grain store after school and summers 65 cents/hr
'45 started flying while a Sr in Hi school
'46 Gun smith after school, Jr College
'49 line mechanic, Chevrolet then at a Studebaker agency
'54 Took over retread shop
'63 became partner in research lab Louisville KY. invented several tire building machines and the belted bias tire, became the Poly-glas tire
'70 bought a rubber mfg plant in L.A. area.
'78 Started a company manufacturing computer based measuring equipment for the tire industry.
'83 returned to San luis Obispo CA to care for Mom after Dad died. Farmed the family ranch, Peas, squash, tomatillos and wine grapes.
'95 Sold ranch and became semi retired, continued doing forensic tire investigations, a sideline I started in '58.
From '63-'84, I wore out 2 Mooneys, put 500+ hrs on a twin comanche and some 300 Hrs on a B model Aztec. ASMEL with Commercial and Instrument ratings. Used the airplanes to get to work. Landed in 46 States.
Retired 4 yrs ago, didn't want to deal with lawyers any more
79 Years old today.

Sincerely

Jim Weir


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth Harbuck on Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 02:05 pm:

Happy Birthday Jim!


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Thomas J. Miller on Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 02:06 pm:

What do I do? I sit in an electric free house typing on a computer powered by a battery backup because of the lousy service provided by Detroit Edison.

I say this because I would much rather be in the shop priming parts today. Instead, the lights flickered three times at morning mass and we knew our block would be dead again by the time we got home. Edison estimates 12 hours. Great.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Chris Cook on Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 09:18 pm:

I work as a salesperson part time in a rural store as well as teach and play country and bluegrass music on various instruments. Got my first T in bits at age 21 but never got it on the road. I eventually sold it and raised a family instead! Three years ago I found our tourer in a fairly complete state. It had sat for around 40 years. I just bolted it together and haven't stopped driving it1 Have had a wealth of jobs along the way almost all over Australia (big country)while trying to make a living out of music. Merry Christmas to one and all and thank you to everyone for the wealth of information shared here. Tina and Chris Cook.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Stan Howe on Sunday, December 23, 2007 - 10:16 pm:

Hey, Chris! Ever recorded anything? Send me a C D and I'll play you on the radio in Montana. That would be pretty cool, Australian Country and Bluegrass.

I've been on the road playing off and on since I was 10 years old, started in my parent's band. Still working out, booked for New Year's Eve, this will be about the 50th New Years I've played some where or other. I play guitar and fiddle and sing, mostly traditional country--Ray Price & Bob Wills-- have several CD's and wrote a book called Singing Cowboys several years ago which is a compilation of my favorite old time cowboy songs. Sales are clear up into the dozens now and it is thousands of dollars away from breaking even but it was a fun project.

You can get my address and all that at www.montanabarncars.com or greatfiddles.com I don't have a profile on here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Semprez on Monday, December 24, 2007 - 12:46 pm:

Boy what a great gang of do-ers! No wonder we argue so much!!! But love out T's!

- 10 became neighborhood expert on small gas motors
- 12 Bought 1922 TT truck $50.
- 14.5 grain truck driver - many loads to Templeton Grainery. only stopped once ... sherrif said I ought wait till I'm 15.5 to drive!
- 16 started VW repair shop... morphed into Porsche repair.
- 16 started auto paint & body shop VW's Porsches and Mercedes
- 19 Folks said I should go to College "so I could become something" Off to Cal Poly BS Industrial Technology.

- 21 got married
- 23 started career w/ Reliance Electric. Sales engineer then Area Manager/ Rotating Machinery Repair shop manager/ Wind power project manager.
- 34 off to IBM as Robotic/Industrial computer Manager, Built up the 14 western states - Layed off because "I could get another job in the outside world, the IBM lifers would have a hard time!" so said my supervisor.

- 45 Marketing manager for shop floor software company

- 47 Manager for EPRI Electric Utility software and Maintenance tools software co.

- 48 Wollongong - Marketing Manager for TCP/IP Internet Tools(sorry Al Gore, We did most of the inventing!)

- 50 Fujitsu Marketing/ Tablet Computers

- 51 Panasonic Toughbook Marketing

- 52 Marketing RedCreek VPN Internet Security products.

- 53 Retired moved Back to Paso Robles/Templeton Now I am VERY HAPPY Part Time Handyman and full time Ford tinkerer(Dont I wish!)

God Bless You All! Merry Christmas!

John - 59


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