Spent 35 years on the faculty in the Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Massachusetts Amherst, the last six as Department Head, living in Amherst. Am now working full time in Cambridge at the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (part of the Department of Transportation) having more fun than someone our age deserves, living in Boston four days and Amherst three days, my wife and I commuting together. Four kids, two grandkids. Three of our kids live in Boston, one soon to live again with us! Retirement still seems years into the future. Have made friends around the world, seen places I had never thought I would visit, experienced loss that still resonates today, losing my wife to cancer when my daughters were still young, and was able to move forward on the shoulders of others until I could baby step again. A junior colleague today asked how I could be two standard deviations above colleagues my age when it comes to the joy I take in my work. Why hadn’t I become jaded? I answered …. Hope to make it to the reunion, but like most of you I can’t find enough time for everything. The friends I made at LHS had a lasting influence on my understanding of what it means to be considerate of others. I can’ thank you enough.
Submitted: 3/22/2018