G.R.A.A.
Goddard Retirees Alumni Association
P.O. Box 163 Seabrook, MD 20703

March 2001                                  http://gewa.gsfc.nasa.gov/~graa                     17th Year of Publication

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

March 13, 200l   GRAA REGULAR LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM -RecCenter - Pls call 30l-937-7762 for Reservations
                           SPEAKER: Bob Kraemer, a Goddard Retiree, presently living in the Annapolis area. Bob will be
                           discussing his book, entitled " Beyond the Moon - A Golden Age of Planetary Exploration, 1971-
                           1978" published by the Smithsonian Institution Press. There's a lot in the book about Goddard and
                           Goddard people, about how Goddard really designed the Pioneer spacecraft, defined and sold the
                           Pioneer Venus missions and yet didn't get to manage either project.
Apr. 9-20,200l   Thailand, r/t airfare to Bangkok, coach transportation, boat, domestic air, show tickets, meals, tax,
                           gratuities - enjoy sightseeing grand palace, famous temple, shopping, Thai New Year Festival.
                           Includes service of English-speaking guide. TOTAL: $2,000 Per Person Dble Occupancy - $l,800
                           Per Person Dble Occupancy (1) Bed - $200 deposit due Now - Balance may be made in three
                           payments, final payment due 3/1/0l - For more information and reservation, Pls call Pat - GEWA
                           store - 30l-286-8498.
April l0, 200l       GRAA REGULAR LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM - RecCenter - Pls call 30l-937-7762 for Reservations.
May 8, 200l        GRAA REGULAR LUNCHEON - 11:30 AM - RecCenter - Pls call 30l-937-7762 for Reservations.
May 13-23, 200l CANADIAN TRAIN RIDE - Vancouver to Toronto - 10 days from $2000 -Call 301 937-7762 for
                           Details and brochure -Have combination air and bus transportation for under $500.
Sept. 27- Oct. l   Branson, MO Tour - 5 days, 4 nights, $780 per person, covers travel, shows, motel, many meals.
                           If you are interested, call GRAA. travel 301-937-7762

COMMENTS FROM GRAA' S PRESIDENT, DR. PIEPER: The May 8th GRAA Luncheon will be a reunion of the
Orbiting Astronomical Observatory (OAO) project. The OAO program began when GSFC began in l959 and spanned 32 years of Goddard history. In addition to the NASA HQ and GSFC people who worked on OAO, there were four experimenter groups, from the Smithsonian Astronomical Observatory, Univ. of Wisconsin, Princeton and University College, London, and over l000 contractor organizations. GRAA members, please contact your old colleagues and pass this invitation along to them: Whether you are retired or still working, government, university or contractor, please join us for lunch and a sharing of memories and stories on May 8. And if you have pictures, models or OAO memorabilia, please bring them along. To make a luncheon reservation ($9.00 includes open beer and wine bar), call Alberta Moran at 30l-937-7762 - and if anyone can' t attend but would like to share something with the group, contact Maureen Locke at 30l-249-90l7 or mlocke@bellatlantic.net.

MAIL STUFFERS FOR FEBRUARY: Rose McChesney, Mary & Bob Wilson, Bob Wigand, Elaine Montgomery,
George Abid, Agnes R. Smith and John Steckel.

TREASURER'S REPORT: Donations were received from Walt LaFleur, Dick Folea, Fred Kallmeyer, Ellie Ritchie,
Gilbert R. Becklin, J. W. Pohl, Jacques Knox, John Sos, John Larson and R.Wettingfeld..

SWAT TEAM: Thanks to the following that made the last Good Luck Road clean-up successful: Bob Wigand, Elaine Montgomery and Dick Tagler. (Could use more volunteers - join this group for the next expedition)

LETTERS WE GET LETTERS !!!
FRED W. KALLMEYER: Enjoying retirement life with wife Karen in Haymarket, VA. Karen has gotten involved
with art classes and babysitting. Fred volunteers for a former, National Park Service, and Trout Unlimited. Last year
he hiked 600 miles on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and southwestern Virginia. Fred
plans to hike to central Pennsylvania (600 miles) and Katahdin, ME over a four-year period. He's also involved in a
Softball League in Fairfax County. Enjoys reading the monthly publications.
WALTER LA FLEUR: Enjoys receiving the newsletter and Goddard News. Many of the organizations he belonged
to or belongs to now have their newsletter on the Internet. Although a lot of time is spent on the Internet doesn't
regularly get around to checking the various websites. Mentions that it was good to see the 500/old 800 folks active
in GRAA's affairs. Fond memories are elicit each time the package is received: this month the sage, JOHN STREKEL,
and his comment about the old timers still pulling the wagon. Sends his best regards to all the great folks who were
part of a most rewarding 23 years.
ROLAND VAN ALLEN: Roland recently had lunch with GEORGE WOODS who has been so helpful at mail stuffing and Appalachian truck stuffing. He's settled in Keyser, WV and is very active with other seniors helping to make quilts and lap robes to raise money for worthy causes. He keeps their sewing machines in working order and is known to sew a few stitches himself. He also makes jewelry and dolls using glass beads and safety pins, for sale at bazaars. He was kind enough to give them some of his crafts. George is hale and hearty; great to see him.
DICK FOLEA: Sends greetings from Southern Maryland. Retired life just doesn't get much better than Solomon's
Island all year around. Sends thanks for the great job in keeping the Goddard Alumni informed on activities in outer
and nearby space.
J. W. POHL: Sends thanks to all who participate in the success of GRAA and the Newsletter (including the mail
stuffers). Lives in Boca Raton, Fl.
ROBERT WETTINGFELD: "I apologize for being out of touch for so long. Our condolences to the families of the
members that have departed. Marcia and I have been spending time with our family here in Panama for the last two
years - hope to visit the states soon. Enjoying the weather here where the heat is tempered by winds from the seas.
The windows are open all the time with minimum interference from mosquitos, - air-conditioning will be on for those times when the breeze isn't enough. The rain during the wet season doesn't ruin the whole day as there is always some sunshine. We have an apartment, facing the Pacific, across the street from The Caesar Park Hotel, formally Marriot. We are sure Goddard travelers know where it is. We follow all the latest Space Astronomy via the web-sites and magazines, it is a great time for the astronomers Cable TV keeps us up to date with all the world news, good and bad. Have read all newsletters on the website."
JOHN LARSON: Presently living in Longwood, Fl. - Sends his thanks for the wonderful effort to keep retirees informed of developments. Wishes to convey special thanks to those mail stuffers who work voluntarily month after month.

OBITS:
ROBERT LAUVER: According to a note received from his wife of Lake Havasu City, AZ, Robert died on November 27, 2000 after long battle with cancer. He retired in l974.
DALE L. LUND: Passed away December 22, 2000 - was living in Cross Junction, VA.
CHARLES C. STURGELL (Chuck): Died January 25, 200l in Largo, FL. - Worked in Code 683.
ALFRED K. STOBES: Died January 7, 200l in Falls Church, VA - Worked in Code 682.
HERBERT L. EAKER: Received a note from Geraldine Eaker that Herbert died on February 2, 200l at the Hospice Center, Arlington, VA - he had alzheimers. He served with Goddard, NASA, from l960-l976, as Project Mgr for International Satellite Programs, which included Echo I and Echo II. He loved his work with NASA.
CATHERINE M. BUTLER: According to a note received from her husband, James, Catherine died on July 2l, 2000.
He also relayed how much she enjoyed the GRAA Luncheons.

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                                                                 SPECIAL ADMITTANCE
                                                             TICKET TO G.R.A.A. LUNCH
                                                         You must be accompanied by a GRAA
                                                       member or GSFC employee with a badge.

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