G.R.A.A.
GODDARD RETIREES AND ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
P.O. Box 163, Seabrook, MD 20703
February 2004
http://graa.gsfc.nasa.gov
20th Year of Publication
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
Feb. l0, 2004 GRAA Regular Luncheon
- 11:30 am - RecCenter - Pls call Alberta 30l-937-7762
Speaker:
Mark Brumfield, GSFC Code 590, Topic: GN&C Systems Eng'g Organization
March 9, 2004 GRAA Regular Luncheon - 11:30 am
- RecCenter - Speaker: Director of GSFC Al Diaz; Subject:
"State
of the Center and the new Lunar-Mars Program". Pls call Alberta 30l-937-7762
March 30, 2004 GEWA's l3th Spring Crafts Fair - Bldg 8 Auditorium
- l0:00 am to 2:00 pm - $l5.00 Registration Fee
Per Space - Items must be handmade
- Open to Govt. Employees/contractor employees/retirees
Family
members & Friends - March l9 registration cutoff - check out GEWA's
webpage
(http://gewa.gsfc.nasa.gov)
for details/registration form or contact Tasha Davis
(tadavis@pop200.gsfc.nasa.gov)
April l3, 2004 GRAA Regular Luncheon
- ll:30 am - RecCenter - Pls call Alberta 30l-937-7762
COMMENTS FROM GRAA'S PRESIDENT, Ron Browning: The January luncheon
was a fond farewell to
George and Barbara Pieper. They moved the end of January to their new home
at Fleet Landing, near Jacksonville, Fla. George has served for many years
on the GRAA Board of Directors, most of them as President. He has
contributed
in many ways to maintaining GRAA as a vibrant and enjoyable organization.
He has attracted interesting speakers
that have given us insights into technologies in work and general topics
of broad interest to our membership. Speakers
at the luncheon reminded us of George's passion for fishing, his poetic
skills and his good sense of humor. We thank
George for his leadership and service to GRAA over these many years.
TREASURER's REPORT: Donations were received from Earl Quirey,
Phil Crossfield, Martha Morrissey, Mike Logan
and Grace Miller. GRAA's account balances as of 12/31/03 totaled $14,808.25.
A financial report covering CY2003
was submitted to the Board of Directors.
OBITS:
HEDDINGER, FRANK L. of Catonsville, MD died December 29, 2003.
SLIFER, LUTHER W., JR. of Lanham, MD died December 24, 2003.
GROVE, DONALD H.,SR. - Rec'd word from his son, Donald H. Grove,
Jr., that his father died as a result of a car
accident September 29, 2003.
RICHARDS, JEAN W. of Federal Way, Wash. - died October l, 2003.
- Worked at Goddard in the early l960s.
LETTERS WE GET LETTERS!!!
LOGAN, F. J. "MIKE" sends note "Keep the news coming"
- enjoys reading about GSFC - still resides in Silver
Spring,. MD
CROSSFIELD, PHIL "Even tho he's moved to Riderwood, Silver
Spring, MD recently, hopes to continue to receive
the Newsletter and attend the luncheons."
QUIREY, EARL of Sturgis, KY - "Sends a Merry Christmas to all
- Have a Happy 2004"
BECKLIN, GILBERT P. of Belle, MO - sends note "Keep up the
good work"
RETIREMENT LIST - GRAA - 1/13/2004
Phillips, Sandra S. Barrett,
Curtis C. Cohen, Steven
Charles Margolies, Donald L.
Robey, Martha
Growden, Arthur M. Boyer, William B.
Dilling, Roger L.
Redisch, William N.
Strnad Sr., Ralph J. Chou, Ming-Dah
Dunker, Steven C. Worley,
Everett M.
Jay, Elizabeth M. Christensen,
J. Lauris Hartman, Mary Anne
Brennan, Dennis L.
Adams, William A. Clark, Bruce W.
Johnson, Cecelia E.
Metzger, James R.
Bailey, Dorinda S. Cline, Thomas
L. Letson, James
W.
Chou, Shu-Hsien
MAIL STUFFERS FOR JANUARY; Frank Wrigley, Mary & Bob Wilson,
Rose McChesney, Marge Gustafson,
Bob Wigand, Barbara Hamilton, George Abid, Bill Shields, Agnes R. Smith,
Eloise Tarter, Marty Eiband and Elaine Montgomery.
___________________________
Following is a poem titled "Poetry and Palaces" written by
Bob Wigand and read at the January meeting in honor of
George and Barbara Pieper's farewell:
Preface
During
his tenure as GRAA President,
George
often displayed a poetical bent
If
ever our meetings got quiet at times,
He'd
quickly regale us with humorous rhymes.
While
some would implore
Him
to recite still more,
Bob
Morrissey cringed and others would shudder,
Concerned
that our Pres. might recite yet anudder.
(The
following is a last chance to "get even"
In
dactylic pentameter, now that he's leavin').
POETRY AND PALACES
Is
it Williams or Cornell or Yale that has fired
His
poetic skill, or was it Barbara-inspired?
Such
classical art in one famous for science
Shows
multiple talents in happy compliance,
And,
if one considers Dr. Pieper's background,
A
clue to the poetic interest is found.
For
in his career he has worked in some palaces,
A
class of buildings distant from science analysis
Palaces
connote a supreme elegance
Where
jesters and poets can rulers entrance.
First
there was MIT's own Building Twenty
A
wood wartime tempo with talents aplenty
A
lab where the seeds of electronics were sown
By
the name "plywood palace" it came to be known
And
then there's the palace at GSFC
Built for its science team's efficacy
With
large picture windows o'er-looking the lake
It
has a fine ambiance, not hard to take.
Numbered
at Goddard as Building Twenty-six
The
name "Pieper's Palace" is what really sticks.
With
Meredith, Abid and Vette on board
George
headed an effort in science that soared.
His
team earned the Center a top reputation
For
aerospace science unmatched in the nation!
After
teaching the Navy about aerospace,
The
Piepers returned to GRAA's welcome embrace.
They
livened the content of many a meeting
While
Barney provided the meal we were eating.
Now
it's Anchors Aweigh and they're off to Fleet Landing
A
nautical retirement home of high standing
Near
family and fishing!
Their
GRAA friends are wishing
They'll
find a new palace at home with their peers
In
which to spend happy and hale golden years.
__________________
GRAA MEMBERS: Arrangements have been made to admit retirees
directly through the Soil Conservation Road
entrance for the luncheons. HOWEVER, YOU MUST HAVE RESERVATIONS AND
AN ID OR YOUR
RETIREE PICTURE BADGE. Call Alberta for reservations, 301-937 7762
___________________
RETIREMENT DINNER PARTY - INVITATION - THOMAS L. CLINE Tuesday
- February 24, 2004,
4:30pm-til? Bea/Barney Rec Center Pls call Pamela Levell for reservations
301-286-9662- COST: $20.00.