G.R.A.A.
Goddard Retirees and Alumni Association
P.O. Box 163, Lanham, MD 20703-0163

IMPORTANT DATES

COMMENTS FROM RON BROWNING, GRAA PRESIDENT: Gary Davis, NOAA’s current Acting Director of the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS), was guest speaker at our September GRAA Luncheon. He described the history and continuity of NOAA’s weather satellites and long-term (50 years) working relationship between NOAA and NASA Goddard. NOAA has defined requirements and funded programs and NASA has managed developments through launch of both the polar and geostationary satellites. He noted that Meteorology professor Verner Suomi and Engineering professor Robert Parent of the University of Wisconsin developed the first radiometers as part of their heat budget experiment for Explorer VII in 1959. Gary has been a major player in the long and successful history of defining weather satellite requirements and overseeing instrument and spacecraft development through launch and mission operations. A new era of polar weather satellites begins with the launch of the Goddard-managed National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Preparatory Project which contains many of the predecessor instruments that will be part of the JPSS. He also described how the joint Department of Defense (DoD)/ NOAA NPOESS convergence program became unworkable because DoD and NOAA instrument requirements were incompatible with organizational and operational needs. For additional information about the history of NOAA satellites, authored by Gary, simply go to http://www.osd.noaa.gov and click on “History of the NOAA Satellite Program” at the bottom left-hand side of the home page.

In appreciation of Gary’s contributions to the joint research and development programs of NASA and NOAA over many years, he was granted honorary GRAA membership benefits and privileges. He will be retiring from NOAA later this year and, on behalf of all GRAA members, he is extended warm wishes for his retirement and future endeavors.

RECENT RETIREES: Michael C. Bruegge and Cecelia H. Woolford.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports tax-deductible contributions were received from the following members: Clarence Ackerson, Augustin Alicea, Martin and Belle Davis, David Douds, Archie Lou Fitzkee, Robert Halli, John Hraster, Sr., Howard and Nancy Kingman, Robert Langley, William Mack, David Manges, Karl Peters, and Michael Tasevoli. Ye Ed sends out apologies to Elizabeth Jay and James Heppner for changing their first names to Betty and Bill, respectively, in the September issue. Oops, yet another senior moment slipped out!

NPOESS PREPARATORY PROJECT (NPP) PREPARES FOR LAUNCH : The NPP is currently scheduled to be launched on October 25^th from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. For additional information about the mission and current launch status, go to http://jointmission.gsfc.nasa.gov.

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: You know you have achieved senior citizen status when you start arranging, rather than combing, your hair.

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

•  Robert R. Hurdle, of Chincoteague Island, VA, passed away on September 12^th. At the time of his retirement he was a Master Mechanic at Wallops Flight Facility (WFF).

•  James S. Lacy, of Rye Brook, NY, passed away on August 1^st at age 89. While at Goddard, he was a Public Information Officer in the Office of Public Affairs and also a Communicator for the worldwide tracking network.

•  Paul J. McCeney, of College Park, MD, passed away on September 2^nd. Paul started out in 1961 at Goddard as an Engineer in the Data Instrumentation Development Branch. His later assignments included being Program Manager for the Applications Technology Satellite Program and Associate Chief of the Systems Management Office of the Mission Operations and Data Systems Directorate. Both he and his late wife were involved with Toastmasters International events and the Goddard Dance Club.

•  William D. Powell, , of Arlington, VA, passed away on September 5^th at age 36. He was employed at Goddard as lead Nanotechnologist when he passed away. His career was marked with rare achievement, including nanotechnology experiments flown on multiple Space Shuttle missions, co-founding the Greater Washington Nanotechnology Alliance, and serving as Chairman of the Inter-Organizational Nanotechnology Council. He was an expert in metallic and organic-matrix composite structure development and held several patents in mechanical design and nanocomposites.

•  Raymond V. Strong, of Salisbury, MD, passed away on September 19^th. He was a Financial Analyst in procurement and budget development for various NASA missions from early satellite development through the Apollo and Space Shuttle programs.

•  Lavearn R. Weichmann, of Salisbury, MD, passed away on September 3rd from complications of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. He retired after 20 years of service as an Aerospace Technician at WFF.

INVITATION TO EXPLORING LEADERSHIP COLLOQUIA SERIES : For retirees in the Goddard commuting area, members are invited to attend the Exploring Leadership Colloquia Series. Upcoming colloquia are scheduled on October 27^th and November 3^rd at 10:00 a.m. in the Building 3 Auditorium. The October colloquium features Alden Meyer, Director of Strategy and Policy for the Union of Concerned Scientists, who will offer insights into the leadership challenges associated with achieving a global climate strategy. The November colloquium features Simon Sinek, who teaches leaders, organizations, and companies around the world how to inspire people. If interested in attending one or both of these colloquia, please contact Gail Williams at gail.s.williams@nasa.gov or 301-286-0159.