Michael Stiteler:  

Life ***** BIO ***** I had a great time as a teenager in Pine Grove, partying at the resort or river with so many people that I really miss: Tammy, the Whites, the Paynes, Brad, the Bushes, Fran, Lisa, Heidi, and so many others whose names now escape me (it was the 70s after all). If you remember me (you know, that stoner down at "the hole" with the dumb grin on his face and who was actually a geek in disguise), please drop me a note. I would love to hear from you. We're in the Charleston phone book (try whitepages dot com or dial information). Some of you know where my life was back then, seven people living in a 12 foot camp trailer with Johnny Triplett for a brother and all that stuff. John was actually an excellent brother who I still care about very much, just not a good influence when it came to responsibility or morality. Check out my short story about John on the internet at storybytes dot com; it's in the 1999 section, and the title is "How I Got Started, a Lifer's Story". No wonder I didn't graduate from high school! But everything works out eventually. Left home at 15, eventually dropped out of high school (beginning of senior year) and went to work. Dan White and I used to hitch hike around Pine Grove with signs saying "We need work". Dan (who sadly passed away in 1989) and I finally did something smart and hitch hiked to Stockton in early 1980 to join the Navy. I spent 6 years as a Navy Diver and Sonar Supervisor on submarines, then 8 years working full time at various jobs and running businesses while attending college. Finally got a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Clemson and a Masters from Georgia Tech. Hitching rides has led to some of the most important things in my life. I met the girl of my dreams on May 1, 1983. My beautiful Southern Belle, Brenda Faye Means, picked me up hitch hiking at the foot of the Cooper River Bridge in Charleston, SC. It took me a couple of tries, but she eventually unlocked the door and let me in her car. We have been married for 27 wonderful years and live in the finest city on earth outside of Northern California, Charleston, South Carolina. I worked happily as a Program Manager for the Advanced Technology Institute (aticorp dot org on the web) for 9 years. Finally left A...Expand for more