Robert "BEAR" Hastings:
CLASS OF 1957
St. Mel High SchoolClass of 1957
Chicago, IL
St. Mel Grammar SchoolClass of 1954
Chicago, IL
St. Mel Holy Ghost SchoolClass of 1952
Chicago, IL
Robert "BEAR"'s Story
THE HASTINGS FAMILY of Woolwich, Maine has a blog at website: //hastings-navybear.blogspot.com/ - Please join with us and view our family photos and make comment...love to hear from you and yours.
ABOUT ME....Then and Now.
After graduation in May, 1957, Jim Dempsey, John DiBuno and I headed to St. Jospeh's College - Although, I did not complete St. Joe's, the time spent there was a real life experience, and changed my path direction for the best. I entered the United States Navy, February 1958, and served on active duty for 30 years, attaining "Mustang Status" when I accepted a naval commission as a Supply Corps Officer, during the Vietnam War while serving aboard USS RANGER (CVA 61) in 1968. After completing advanced training at U.S. Naval Supply Corps School at Athens, GA, I was assigned sea duty aboard USS GUADALCANAL (LPH 7) for 3 years supporting U.S. Marines Battalion Landing Teams, and then a tour ashore as Supply Officer at Naval Security Group Winter Harbor, ME - I was blessed indeed to marry a wonderful Maine Girl, Barbara Ann, happily married for the pass 45 years we have made our home in Maine. We have a wonderful son, George who was a career Master Chief Navy Seal, now retired on 30 years, residing in Southern California . We have three Grandchildren, Anthony, Robert and Katie living in the San Diego area. Life has been very good to our family. After retiring from active duty Navy in 1983, I went to work for Northrop Grumman. a prime defense contractor building Aegis Destroyers, and training the Sailors manning the new construction ships at Bath, ME and Pascagoula, MS. After 2o years in the private section, I recently retired from full time work, but still continue as a shipbuilding contract consultant for Northrop Grumman; only now, I work from our home computer while still in my PJ with a good morning cup of coffee, while keeping one eye viewing the TODAY SHOW. Like I said, Life is very good for us...Barbara and I continue to have good health, a timeless love story, and strong, everlasting Faith in our Lord. When your travels call you and your family to Maine, please call on Barbara and I for a home visit...we are listed and would love hearing from our classmates. Best Regards and keep smiling...... Bob Hastings, Class of 1957.
School
After granduation from St. Mel High School, in May 1957, I attended St. Jose...Expand for more
ph's College in Indiana briefly before entering the United States Navy. I reenlisted in the Navy for service schools, completing college level courses, and military professional studies. I attended the U.S. Navy Supply Corps School at Athens, GA graduating in June, 1968, and attended the Pensacola Junior College in 1966, and the University of New Hampshire at Brunswick, ME for adult college credited courses...during my career in the private sector, I completed numerous business classes on motivational, and leadership skill improvement. Northrop Grumman provided many opportunities to further my formal education, and I was the Director of Operations, Navy Precommissioning Facility, Bath, Maine for 15 years, until my retirement on 24 June 2004. Some of my high school best friends were Jim Dempsey, John DiBuono, Jim Heath, and the ladies were Carol Ann DeBrocke, Elizabeth Prasch, Joan Marie Woods...all wonderful and good Catholic guys and girls. Hope all have been blessed, and have wonderful, happy lives and families.
Workplace
After serving in the United States Navy for 30 years, I retired in 1983, and continued to work for the Navy as a Defense Contractor with Northrop Grumman. We trained the Sailors reporting for new construction ships at Bath, Maine. The Navy's newest surface combatant, Aegis Destroyer program will have over 65 ships built from 1991 through 2010...I was able to contribute to providing support and services to our American Sailors in 25 of the new ships from USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51) first of the ship class until my last ship, USS MOMSEN (DDG 92)...it has been a wonderful ride, and would not change one thing. I was blessed with a great Precommissioning Staff at Bath, Maine, and they will continue to build Navy Crews for Aegis Destroyers...when our Country asks "Where are the Navy's Destroyers?" - Bath and Pascagoula would have built 65 new ships for the 21st century Navy Warriors. God Bless America and the United States Navy. Bear Hastings, Retired Navy, and Proud to Serve the Fleet.
Military
I was an Aviation Storekeeper, up through the ranks from Airman, Master Chief, Chief Warrant W-4 to selected for LCDR in the Supply Corps before retiring as a LT in 1983. What a great ride, and wonderful friends made along the way, many of my navy friends still work with me today in shipbuilding.
Best Regards
Bear Hastings
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