Ray Heffner:  

I joined the Air Force in 1976. I had a great time. I worked on nukes, taught electronics, loaded aircraft and packed parachutes. I have shaken hands with 2 presidents. I worked drug interdiction in several countries. Obviously the list is very long, those just come to mind. I spent years with the Army and was quite impressed with their teamwork and attitude. I've been to several countries: Korea, Japan, Panama, also South America and Central America. I've been to many states: Kansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Florida, California, Alaska, Texas, Nevada, Arizona and many more I drove through or visited. I've driven over the Panama Canal and visited churches in Equador. I attended YSU for electrical engineering and earned my degree while active duty. I have an FCC license and hold a General class ham radio license. I have many hobbies. Besides being retired from the Air Force, I work at the Post Office and am self employed. I live in Hubbard and Warren. I have two children. My daughter Valerie (named after our classmate) is at YSU for engineering and my son Robert was at Kent for biology and premed. He was also in the AFROTC program and is now stationed in Colorado working on satellites as a Lt.in the Air Force. He is still going to college for physics and biochemistry. I enjoy gardening and repairing things. I also enjoy remodeling homes and target shooting. I retired from the AF because I was tired of my family dying before I could get to know them. My father died in 1980 while I was in Korea, one sister (Linda, class of 68 ??? ) and a nephew died while I was in Panama in 1992. My mother and mother in law both died in 98 while I was in Texas. My brother in law died in 2008 and my last sister (Rosalyn, class of 70?) died in 2010. We were pretty close and her 2 1/2 year illness and their deaths hit me hard. I moved back to Ohio to be with a wonderful lady. We have gone separate ways but I have great memories of her and wish her well. I truly wish things had gone better for us. I still care about her and think of her often. She will always be the love of my life. Sept 2012: I joined the ranks of the "empty nesters" as Robert left for the AF. I think fondly back to Mar 1989 when he was born. Oddly, the wife was only in labor a few short hours, she had twisted her ankle in the bath tub and it must have started the process. Maybe Rob just wanted to get the hell out of there. It was Keesler AFB in Mississippi. The house we lived in no longer exists because of the last hurricane. We lived in two different houses while stationed there, neither exists anymore. That hurricane seems to have done more damage than hurricane Camille, many years ago. He came early and the doctor wasn't ready. It was pretty much me and and the wife in the delivery room. I delivered him and was holding him when the doctor came in and completed the delivery. I said "Hello...Expand for more