Wayne Bauer:
CLASS OF 1976
Polson High SchoolClass of 1976
Polson, MT
Oregon Institute of TechnologyClass of 1981
Klamath falls, OR
Wayne's Story
COLLEGE"
Went to college for 6 years. First year was at U of M (Montana) and was majoring in Forestry- didn't work out- too many in the field at that time. Decided that getting a degree in the field I wanted wasn't going to work out- after having a sit down with the dean of Forestry. Went to MTC (Missoula Technical Center) and received degree in heavy equipment maintenance after one year of attending. Went to work and was making good money, Thought I was rich at first. Later decided that I didn't want to do this the rest of my life, didn't like it enough. Went back to school in Oregon- received B.S. degree in Manufacturing Engineering- was trying for a dual in Mechanical also, missed it by 27 credits. I was averaging 23 credits a quarter the last couple years- was a killer. After getting 1st Bachelor degree I was flat broke and needed to get a job.
"WORK"
Took offer from Hughes Aircraft in Tucson AZ, working on AMRAAM, Phoenix & Tow Rocket missiles. Pay was very good- but I wished I would have stayed in school and finished necessary classes for mechanical degree and Masters degree- too lazy. Worked at Hughes for about 3 years at which time I encountered my beautiful wife Julie - Dream of my life.
Best buddy Jeff Capdeville was Best Man at our wedding. Damn we drank a lot of wine that day.
While at Hughes I was Supervisor over 15 engineers. Loved the job but couldn't take the Heat of Tucson. Moved North and accepted position at Thiokol Corp. in Utah. Worked on Rocket motors- mainly Peacekeeper (PK) SICBM, MM III & commercial rockets- Castor 30, 90 & 120 motors, which I helped develop. It was a Blast - - Literality , I loved it. Development & testing back then, 35+ years ago, was quite interesting and rewarding. We had our difficulties- several mishaps, one which 5 friends I worked with lost their lives in an explosion (ignition) of a 1st stage PK during tooling extraction. I saw it blow up- devastation - - haunts me to this day. Had another major mishap where 1500 lbs of HMX ignited during dry cycle - - detonation of the facility. The facility basically just went away, gone. This was very bad stuff 1.1 material, most energetic. Makes gelatin TNT look like firecrackers. Also worked with (NG) nitroglycerin, which we used in the propellant mixing process. Again very energetic 1.1 material, We would us...Expand for more
e 1100 lbs in each mix of propellant Mainly used for extremely high thrust powerful motors. Thiokol also made the Shuttle boosters, which was a 1.3 propellant which was a mild propellant. It had to be mild because there were people on board that rocket, which still produced around 9 g's. At that time I was the manager over 22 engineering team members, we were called the Tiger team. We were quite an aggressive Team. Our Motto was "Tigers Survive last in the Jungle"- TSJ. Those were the days. Now almost 40 years later I am over the Trident (D5) First Stage, Second Stage & Third Stage Igniter Rocket Motor assemblies. These igniters are small rocket motor assemblies used to ignite the main grain propellants. I have been supporting the Navy subs for the past 15 years. Even with Secret Clearance it takes about 8 hours just to get on the inner base of a SWF- Nuclear Navy Sub Facility, which is a base inside a base. Navy individuals know what I am talking about. Dear Lord, I Pray we never have to use them.
"FAMILY"
Married to my loving wife Julie for over 40 years now. The Good Lord blessed us with 3 wonderful girls. Very athletic growing up. Youngest received 15 Letters in High School, school record to this day. Mainly a Track & Soccer Star with several regional records, including State records & multiple Gold metals. All three are mechanical engineers, two of which are also Rocket Motor Scientists. The other can't tell me what she does because she says I would then have to shoot you dad - - - Ok don't tell me.
It is getting very close to Retirement Time - - - Wine, good cheese & sausage will be my only worries. Oh, and a warm fire on those crisp mornings and evenings.
I still LOVE fishing and do it as much as I can. Catch & Release. Ok- Ok- Ok I do keep a few smaller high alpine native Brookies now & then, They are very good eating. I love the high Alpine lakes above 10,000 ft. The Good Lord is still keeping me fit enough to keep hiking in, though I have lowered the travel to only 6 - 8 miles a day, slower these days. Need more fishing time and less hiking time. Not too many people at those elevations, lakes to ourselves. Still after that ever elusive 2-digit Brookie. Haven't gotten one yet but I know they are there. Largest thus far is around 6-7 lbs.
May God Bless you all with Good Health & Happiness.
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