After graduating HHS I studied Engineering in NY City, graduating in 1959. Unfortunately I picked a mini-recession time to enter the job market, and was convinced that my best course of action was to get rid of my 1A military classification. I joined the Army thinking that I'd get to use my
electronics expertise, but of course ended up as a meteorologist (close). JFK liked my work so much that he decided to keep me (and a few others) an additional six months. Actually, I think it had something to do with Berlin and Cuba. I left the service in 1962 just as Vietnam was gearing up. My
timing was getting better!

Still hoping to use my education somewhere I knocked on Grumman's door, planning to stay for four or five years to build a resume. Thirty-seven years later, after working on various electronic warfare, aircraft and space programs, I called it quits and retired.

In the interim I was married and had two children. I was divorced and remarried in 1987 to a wonderful lady that I met doing volunteer work. Anna Teufel (a South Huntington girl) and I were both EMTs (emergency medical technicians) riding for the Huntington Community First Aid Squad. In 1998 we
began building a Log home, on the top of a mountain, at Windham NY, anticipating retirement. The building was not quite finished when I retired in 1999 but we moved in anyway. The last three years have been spent trying to complete this project. Anna keeps asking, "What were you thinking?" But
we've persevered, and our home is now nearing completion.

At about 3000 ft altitude we overlook the mountains that help define the Hudson Valley. The majestic views, the remoteness (nearest neighbor is ½ mile away), and the abundant wildlife make this an idyllic setting for us. But just in case we might get old someday, although I hadn't planned on it,
we still maintain a home in Huntington.

Looking forward to seeing everyone on the 15th!

Walt & Anna Grote