I grew up with science Fiction
My favorite shows growing up (that I can Remember) were Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost In Space, Time Tunnel, The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Avengers, and Fireball XL-5.
You may have noticed that "Land of the Giants" was not listed. Well, here's why - where we lived, they didn't carry that show. But, I got many of the comic books based on the show. When I finally got to see a few shows as reruns - it was so different from the comics that I just didn't care for it.
My grade school years were in Phoenix, AZ. and my high school years were in Peak, ID.
Why Lost In Space
Sep. 22nd, 1965 - It was one month before my 13th birthday and everyone at school was excited to watch this new show on CBS. I saw the first 3 minutes of Lost In Space and then my father turned the channel to his western. The result - I became obsessed with Lost In Space.
During the next 33 years I had audio recordings (3 and 8 inch reels), 8 and Super 8 movies done directly off the TV, and VCR tapes of some of the shows. Looking back, I guess I was trying to always have a show to watch when I wanted to. Needless to say, this obsession with one show would lead to something wonderful after all.
Career Moves
After Graduation from High School - I joined the Air Force and believe it or not spent the next 20 years in the service without being overseas. I was never stationed nor spent time outside of the continent U.S. I worked on the F-106 Delta Dart Fighter for 15 years and the B-1 Bomber for the last 5 years both as Weapon Systems Troubleshooting and Repair. Neither aircraft were deployed overseas during the time of my service.
Click on for Military Photo Album
I have held the following jobs since retirement from the service - motel clerk, donut finisher and delivery, warehouse and delivery person, security guard, assistant data base manager for a western clothing store, maintenance technician for a electronic assemble plant, cold caller for skilled workers, and now I have my dream job. I build Robot Parts.
My office area at
SCI, Rapid City, SD - at the time I was there, they main active was board
build-ups for high end products such as servers and medical equipment. My main
task was the weekly cleaning and testing of the test platforms that checked out
the boards as they came off the assemble line.
Family Life
I have a wonderful wife now, Karen, who understands me and knows what makes me happy. Three wonderful boys that have grown up very well. Sam is a machine operator at a metals working plant. Michael is serving our country in the Army - He just got back to his family in German after spending time in Iraq. Gregory is training in the hospital care profession. I also have two step kids - Sarah, who lives in the area and Shawn, who has moved to W.Y.
I'm also a grandfather with 5 grand kids and two more on the way.
It's was Dec. 21st, 1998 - I was searching the internet to see what I could find. I found the B9 Builders Club. I had always wanted to build the Robot - but knew that for me - there was no way that I could make a bubble for the brain. At this time, Planet Plastics was selling them to the group. I was hooked and joined the club.
Another Interest
As for cars - there is one that I am very fond of. The 1973 Ford Mach-I Mustang. I have had two in my life time and I miss not have one now. Granted, I couldn't afford to drive one now days - my cars got about 10mpg. This was the last time I could work on my own car. Due to major rust mainly in the engine bay and the fact that I didn't take welding in High School, I traded my baby for my current car - Voyager. She is a 1996 Pontiac Firebird, and believe or not, she handles just like a 73 Mustang.
Here are a couple of pictures of my babies -
