Larry Kiesel:
CLASS OF 1968

Lincoln High SchoolClass of 1968
Tacoma, WA
Bates Technical CollegeClass of 1972
Tacoma, WA
Madison Elementary SchoolClass of 1963
Tacoma, WA
Larry's Story
Life
After high school I started as an Electrician Apprentice, working during the day and attended classes at night. Continued with a few college classes after finishing the four year apprenticeship program in 1972. From 1979 through 1983 I continued working in the electrical trades but taught the IBEW Electrician Apprenticeship Program at night. This was through Bates Technical College.
I worked for an Alaska Oil Company from 1983 until 2015 when I retired. Primarily worked in the Technical/Engineering disciplines.
Hobby's include traveling the back roads of America via my Harley or Corvette. In my 20's I did a fair amount of motorcycle dirt track racing. Now days I try to spend a few days every month around Hoods Canal where we have a little beach place.
Somehow, I found time to get married in 1975 and still with the same lady today. No children but the wife ended up with a Law Degree and went into private practice 1984. After 25 years of owning her own successful business, she decided to move on and begin a new carrier. We closed up the business because she was appointed as a Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner (Junior Judge) in 2009. In 2020 she ran for and was elected to the position of Pierce County Superior Court Judge.
Workplace
I started with ARCO Alaska in 198...Expand for more
3 as an Instrument Tech. Worked my way up to Senior Inst. Tech in just a couple of years. Specialized in Process Control Systems, primarily multi-million-dollar turbine/compressor control systems. In 1999 I was loaned to the Process Automation/Computer Department and ended up staying until I retired in 2015. Most of my duties involve Process Computer Controls and network communications. I always enjoyed my work because it was never boring; always trouble shooting different problems and I normally functioned as my own boss. The bonus part was the work schedule and that they paid us well. I only worked 6 months out of the year because of the 2 weeks on, 2 weeks off schedule. Guess you could say I was semi-retired since 1983.
As of August 25, 2015, I actually retired with no regrets. Loved my work in the Alaska oil business but after losing a couple friends from natural causes on the job, I decided life was too short. I've discovered that retirement is not really retirement, I seem to be as busy now as I was when working. Wife will likely keep working as long as she enjoys her profession and health. With her 6-weeks' annual vacation time, we find ourselves doing several mini vacations each year that revolve around our common enjoyment of our Hoodsport beach place, Harley's and Corvette.
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