Ralph Porter:
CLASS OF 1967
Northwestern High SchoolClass of 1967
Darlington, PA
Ralph's Story
Wow, can it be that over 45 years have passed by since I've had any contact with any of my old high school classmates? I'm sure it is the same for everyone, but just where did those years go by.......
After our graduation in 1967, I went to Slippery Rock State College for a year majoring in math. The following year I transfered to Youngstown State and majored in financial management. Then, thanks to the Viet Nam war, I got drafted and enlisted in the Air Force. Ended up active duty for over 11 years during which time I was an electronics technician for a few years, then got my BS in mathematics and a MS in statistics/probability, with minor in computer science. The ended up in California in 1974 and been here ever since (except for a short stint in Maryland in 1991-1992). Most of my AFcareer was spent flying low-orbit satellites from the AF Satellite Control Facility in Sunnyvale, CA. The programs were recently de-classified and I can now say that I was flying spy satellites for the National Reconniscense Facility (NRO) that, at the time, "did NOT exist" according to the DoD.
I then spent 28 years at General Dynamics with a long career in software engineering, program management, process engineering, and mergers and acquisitions. Due to major cuts in the DoD budgets, I was let go from General Dynamics in January 2008. We were actually ready for retirement. We did a 3 month RV trip from here back home to Ohio and PA. However, due to the late 2008 crash that turned my 401K into a 201K, I ended up going back to work in mid-2009 at Applied Signal Technology as a Senior Program Manager.
Unfortunately, since 1983 - age 34, I've had a lot of neurological issues affecting mostly my eyes, balance, legs and feet. Over the years, tech...Expand for more
nology improved with MRIs and spinal taps, and in the late 1990s I was finally diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In 2011 my MS went progressive and I ended up in the hospital numerous times due to my MS. In February of 2012, after knee surgery (patial replacement plus complete ACL reconstruction - needed after many, many falls due to balance issues), I went onto Long Term Disability. I also was approved for SSDI that year. That pretty much drove me into retirement, but not the way I wanted to go, of course.
On the personal side, met my wife Maureen at Youngstown State in the fall of 1968. We married in 1970. We have two sons - Dan and Christopher, both married and have one grand-daughter. In retirement, will be working on my many hobbies of woodworking, marquetry, cycling, RV'ing, photography, and such.
For those of you in the band, symphony, marching band, jazz band, I still have the silver Conn alto saxophone (in the attic now). The musical programs with Mr. and Mrs. Wilson were the best moments I remember from NHS. Also, for those of you who did track, wonder how many recall the long distance running where we stashed cigarettes in the middle of our afternoon runs...................Ha, ha!
I'd like to hear from some of our old gang. Drop me a line.
Feb2015 update: It is amazing just what directions you might go in life, with or without your input. As for me, the MS has become more and more chronic. I had several new brain and spinal lesions in the last year and spent a goodly amount of time in the hospital. Good news is that I recently got referred up to the Stanford University MS Center; they have some excellent programs to perhaps reduce my chronic pain and physical limitations. Hang in there, all!
Ralph
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