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: At our August Luncheon, Christyl Johnson, Goddard’s Deputy Center Director for Science and Technology, described her responsibilities and the path that brought her to that role. Ms. Johnson manages research and development in science and technology with a goal of producing integrated excellence in both fields. She partners with other government agencies, academia and private industry to leverage Goddard’s assets and resources to enhance production of scientific and engineering results within constrained costs. While Goddard is doing well at this time with multiple ongoing missions, other centers are clamoring to take some of this work. There is potential for a lack of work in 2013/2014 timeframe for as many as 500 civil servants, so management must be vigilant to ensure challenging work continues to come to Goddard. Her NASA career began in 1985 at Langley Research Center when she worked in laser technology research and later became head of the branch responsible for the design, development, and application of advanced electro-optic systems for atmospheric, aeronautic and space flight research missions. She later moved on to NASA Headquarters as Associate Director for Exploratory Missions in the Office of Earth Sciences, then to Deputy Chief Engineer, and then to Assistant Associate Administrator. Before moving to Goddard late last year she also served on President Obama’s Transition Team and as Executive Director of the National Science and Technology Council.

The NASA 2011 Future Forum was held at the University of Maryland on August 2011 to discuss advances in science, technology, and exploration that will help future endeavors. NASA Administrator Charles Bolden’s welcoming speech noted: NASA has bipartisan support in Congress; within months commercial ventures will be flying payloads to the Space Station; and 2011 is a very productive year for new missions (e.g., Juno to Jupiter, Curiosity to Mars, and the NPOESS Preparatory Project for Earth observation). Five panels represented by NASA, academia, and private industry individuals covered a broad range of topics, the discussions of which focused on innovation, exploration and inspiration as related to NASA’s future, as well as on education and technology investment by-products.

RECENT RETIREES: Gilbert W. Ousley, Jr. and John R. Wilson.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Bob Wigand reports tax-deductible contributions were received from the following members: Ed Bielecki, Doug Burritt, Bill Carpenter, Steve Dolan, Dave Douds, Ron Felice, Mike Forman, Bill Heppner, Betty Jay, Martha Leonard, Harley Mann, Ray Melcher, Herb and Tillie Meyerson, Dolly Perkins, Andy Smith, Steve Smith, Bill Tallant, Chuck and June Thienel, Marj Townsend, Tom Underwood, Pat Unger, Bill Willis, and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous.

AWARDS PRESENTED TO GRAA MEMBERS : The Space Communications and Navigation Office at NASA Headquarters presented commemorative coins to GRAA members Ron Browning, Henry Hoffman, Ray Somerlock, Bob Spearing, and Tom Williams for their contributions to the success of TDRS-1. The coins, flown on Space Shuttle Atlantis in May 2010 on STS-132, depict TDRS-1 (launched April 4, 1983 and decommissioned on October 28, 2009).

THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH: Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

REMEMBERING OUR FORMER COLLEAGUES:

•  Gerald F. Cooper, Sr., of Hagerstown, MD, passed away on June 26^th. At the time of his retirement in 1987 he was assigned to the Fabrication and Development Section of the Machining Technology Branch.

•  Albert J. Glorioso, of Wellington, FL, passed away on May 6^th. While at Goddard, he was employed as an Aerospace Experimental Engineering Technician for 10 years and then as a Procurement Analyst for seven years.

•  Daniel S. Hunter, of Newton, MA, passed away on July 22^nd. Among several assignments, Dan was an Engineer who, among numerous assignments, served as Station Director of the Manned Space Flight Tracking Station in Madrid, Spain, and later assisted in planning for the consolidation of the Space Tracking and Data Acquisition Network and the Manned Space Flight Network into the Space Tracking Data Network.

•  Nelson McAvoy, of Keyser, WV, passed away on February 2^nd from esophageal cancer. He retired in 1981 from Goddard as a Physicist working as chief scientist with space-to-space laser communications projects.

•  Benjamin R. Swann, Jr., of Stuart, FL, passed away on July 22^nd due to a brain tumor. As an Aerospace Engineer at Goddard, he worked as an Underwater Astronaut Trainer and on testing of the deployment of the Space Shuttle’s arm for use with the Hubble Space Telescope.

•  Frank J. Trama, of Daytona Beach, FL, passed away on June 15^th at age 95. He was a head painter during his career at Goddard.

MEMBER SECOND CAREERS/SIDELINES : This newsletter item will appear occasionally to highlight a member’s second career or sideline. If you are interested in being included, send Dave Moulton a note to our Lanham, MD, address or via e-mail (davidlmoulton@comcast.net) about a venture in which you are currently involved that is unrelated to your Goddard career. When space permits, we will include it in a future issue.

This month we showcase John Baniszewski of Columbia, MD At Goddard, John was a Procurement Manager two decades and at retirement was a Deputy Project Manager. Due to his passion for history, before retirement he spent some of his spare time preparing for the stringent written and oral tests to become a Licensed Battlefield Guide. Among numerous other ventures, he now conducts tours at both the Gettysburg National Military Park and Antietam National Battlefield. If considering a personalized tour of either battlefield, check out his web site at http://historyandleadership.com, send him an e-mail at john@historyandleadership.com, or call him at 410-842-3692.

INVITATION TO EXPLORING LEADERSHIP COLLOQUIA SERIES : For retirees in the Goddard commuting area, members are invited to attend the Exploring Leadership Colloquia Series. The next colloquium is at 10:00 a.m. on September 21^st in the Building 3 Auditorium and features Jamie Clarke, a renowned mountain climber, adventurer, and filmmaker. If interested in attending, please contact Gail Williams at gail.s.williams@nasa.gov or 301-286-0159.