1 October 2007

Entered Clarkson College of Technology (now Clarkson University) in 1956.  Majored in mechanical engineering with a minor in industrial engineering.  With eight other young men (including Bud Wellin) started a new fraternity because we were not satisfied with the standards, size, etc. of existing fraternities.  We attracted the cream of the crop in our initial pledge class and quickly became known as the best house on campus – both socially and academically.  Also was editor-in-chief of our class yearbook in 1960.

Graduated Clarkson in 1960 and went to work for Kodak in Rochester, NY; in the Kodak Park industrial engineering division.    In late 1961 a world event, the “Berlin Crisis”, resulted in my getting a draft notice.  After passing the Army physical with flying colors I chose to enlist in the Air Force for Officer Training School rather than serve two years as an infantry soldier.  My intention was to serve the four year commitment and return to the corporate world.  However, my military career went very well with several good opportunities and I ended up serving for 20 years.  I was able to pick up a Masters in Industrial Engineering at Texas Tech University under an Air Force program.  I worked in munitions testing, Space R & D, and contract management while stationed in Utah, Texas, Los Angeles area (3 tours), Indiana, Alabama, and Maryland.   I retired in 1982 as a LtCol and relocated to Sacramento, CA  to work for Aerojet - an aerospace rocket and space propulsion company.  With Aerojet I worked in the quality assurance group in Sacramento with a short stint in Mississippi.  I retired from Aerojet in 2001.

In 1969 I married a lady with a six year-old daughter (whom I adopted) and we had another daughter in 1970.  We were divorced in the mid-1980s.

A couple years later I met a wonderful woman, Barbara, and we decided that we'd like to grow old together.  We were married in 1991 -- and the years since have been terrific.  The best years of my life.   Together we have five daughters ranging in age from 37 to 52;  18 grandchildren ranging in age from 3 months to 28 years; and 4 great-grandchildren ranging in age from 1 to 5.   We call this our 'family bush' and love 'em all.  Fortunately several live close to us; others in the San Francisco Bay area; with one family in Las Vegas.

Health-wise I'm reminded of the person (probably Will Rogers or Mark Twain) who said "If I had known I was going to live this long, I would have taken better care of myself".  Just kidding!!  I've only had a couple significant problems;  1997 - quadruple by-pass heart surgery, and 2003 - prostate cancer; resolved by radiation.   Also suffer from hearing loss which is somewhat improved with hearing aids.

Barbara and I traveled quite a bit and golfed a lot right after my 2001 retirement.  But age and some health ailments have slowed us down the last couple years.  I volunteer at our church two mornings a week helping the financial and administrative staff.  Shortly after I started volunteering one of our daughters was working refinance paperwork with our senior pastor -- she asked him if he knew that he had a 'rocket scientist' sharpening pencils for him? !!  I enjoy working in this environment and have moved on to more demanding tasks (although I still sharpen pencils when needed).

Our contact information is Al and Barbara Davis, 9012 Immelmann Court, Fair Oaks, CA 95628.  916-966-4845. barbal2@juno.com

May God bless you all.