WHO THEY ARE
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Introductory NoteThese are brief biographies of those who were either mentioned or who contributed information to make the article possible. They are much more than what is shown here and the complete story of their accomplishments would require several books. Yet, they are a cross-section of the Class of 1960 rather than being special cases.
Each military officer takes the following oath: I do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, SO HELP ME GOD. These people, who are willing to go in harm's way, know what the Constitution says. Merely giving lip service to obtain a political position is foreign to their nature, and they consider the oath to be binding for life. The service academies are a means to obtain an excellent education for those willing to serve their country. Such an education makes them members of the few who are actually qualified to vote intelligently.
The People
Carnegie, William (Bill) was sent to Libya as an Air Rescue Service pilot supporting NASA’s Project Mercury. He next flew in a C-124 Squadron often carrying cargo to South East Asia. A tour as an air commando pilot in Vietnam was followed by graduate school at the University of Arizona. As an Operations Officer at McGuire AFB, NJ he flew C-141s, managed the Wing Command Post, and was a member of the Airlift Control Element. In 1977, he obtained an MBA degree from Rutgers and became a Certified Public Accountant auditing banks. He specialized in Digital Equipment Corporation computer banking systems working with start up companies building Credit Union and Trust Accounting Software Systems. He retired from the U.S. Branches of Le Credit Lyonnais in New York City where he was the Sybase Database Manager.
Cler, Alfred J. (Rosie) is our Class Scribe and Class Secretary. After being released from active duty on NAF Naha/Okinawa in 1964, he joined Fleetwood Enterprises of Riverside, California, and was quickly promoted to President and General Manager of their Ohio start-up corporation which became the second-largest of their 56 autonomous subsidiaries. In 1977, he bought Century Industries in Michigan and expanded it as President/CEO/Owner. His pro bono involvements included Presidency of the MARVAC trade association and Chairman of the Michigan Manufacturing Housing Institute. After selling Century Industries in 1981, he formed ASB Consulting in Denver to assist entrepreneurs, lectured for the Small Business Adminstration, and taught numerous courses at several colleges.
Deep, Ronald (Ron) flew for 26 years in Air Force passenger and cargo aircraft (C-118, C-121, C-123, C-130, and T-39), was in Vietnam for a tour in EC-121s, and went to Purdue University in the electrical engineering graduate school. He spent time teaching at the Academy, went on to Florida State University for his PhD in math, and flew for a year at Wright Patterson. He was Assistant Dean at the AFIT School of Engineering, and then Executive Director the Air Force Business Research and Management Center. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he worked for the Analytical Science Corporation and then went back to teaching at the University of Dayton.
Diver, Charles S. (Charlie, Chuck, C.S.), according to his DD-214, spent 12 of his 20 year Air Force career as a navigator - in KB-50s, C-54s, C-118s, and C-130s. With AFIT at Purdue he learned Industrial Engineering. At Malmstrom he learned Management Engineering (ADC and SAC). One of his earliest assignments in the Air Force was in Hawaii, while near the end he was in the Alaskan Air Command and landing on on the Greenland Ice Cap, finishing the tour as Chief of the Elmendorf Operations Center. He went on to the University of Wisconsin-Madison in ROTC/AU. After retiring from the Air Force, he took a job in the start-up of a manufacturing plant for Digital Equipment Corporation, making printed circuit boards. He was initially in Special Projects, then in/as Production, Production Control, Industrial Engineer, Personnel Manager, and Test Engineer.
Furuta, Ben T. piloted WB-50s for weather reconnaissance in Japan and Guam with 38 typhoon penetrations and a some special ops, sampling air coming off Asia after Russian atomic tests. After resigning his commission, he returned to school and an eventual career in teaching, education, and administration. He taught high school science and became a high school principal.
Goodson, Wilfred L. (Leon) says after the Academy he (and his family) moved 23 times, mostly from one fighter base to another. In 1964, he was selected as an Olmsted Scholar, and after learning German, spent two years at the University of Heidelburg, completing a PhD in Theoretical Astrophysics. There were operational tours in fighter units in Vietnam, stateside, Spain, and Germany - and headquarters tours in between. After his Air Force career, he joined a startup analysis and software development firm as a partner. He still consults occasionally.
Gulbransen, Gary (Goose) piloted the F-100, volunteered for duty in A1Es in Vietnam, but was rejected. He completed his military service and went to Pan Am, flying in and out of Vietnam many times, carrying cargo and troops. His "career high" with Pan Am was as Captain of the Boeing 747. When Pan Am went out of business he transferred to Delta Airlines where he retired as a MD-11 Captain. He retired 2 months before 9/11.
Haller, Norman M. (Norm) obtained a Master's Degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from MIT. Served at Wright Pat as an engineer. Went back to school in a DOD program for systems analysis. Obtained a Master's Degree in Economics. Went to the Pentagon's Office of Systems Analysis. Received the Secretary of Defense MSM. Was assigned to the newly-formed U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and held several executive positions there. After retiring from the NRC, provided consulting services to various clients, including those preparing high-visibility reports to the Executive Branch of Congress. Since 2000 has taught math at Randolph-Macon Academy in Front Royal, Virginia, coached soccer and baseball, and tutored home-schooled children in algebra and pre-calculus.
Higgins, Joseph L. (Joe) was an F-102 pilot in Ramstein, Germany,and Zaragosa, Spain. Then was in Del Rio, Texas, as an instructor pilot. Next was Udorn, Thailand, as an RF-4 pilot (140 combat missions). Then Wright Patterson as an AFIT student. At San Antonio, Texas, was a personnelist. Then a T-38 squadron commander at Williams AFB. Spent seven years in the Pentagon laying out personnal and training programs. After the Air Force, worked for the beltway bandit (since absorbed and reabsorbed by larger companies). Then seven years at Monticello teaching Thomas Jefferson and his times to 4th and 5th graders. He is now "mostly retired."
Hodson, William T. III (Bill) became a pilot. In the course of his career, he attained a master's degree in math, a doctorate, and eventually retired as head of the Operations Research Division at the Academy. He went on to become a member of various faculties, finally accepting a position as Professor and Marymount University.
Leonard, Edward W. (Ed) flew "ski" C-130s and skyhook aircraft - and then 257 sorties in a Skyraider in Vietnam. He was shot down twice and after the second was captured. He spent 5 years as a prisoner with 3 and a half in solitary confinement. After 7 more years in the military, he retired due to physical disabilities. He went on to law school and then private practice. He had seven operations to replace his knees, hips, and shoulders (as a POW he was tortured by dislocating them). He became Mayor of the City of Ilwaco, Washington, and finally retired.
Lewis, Arthur J. (Art) provided the information on Ringenbach's book. After the Academy, Art was in Strategic Air Command (SAC) with missile and space assignments culminating at SAC Headquarters where he was when he retired from the Air Force in 1972. He then joined Hewlett-Packard, managing medical instrument manufacture. Upon moving to Texas in 1981, he was a logistics manager for Intecom, a telecom firm.
Loh, John M. (Mike) was a "fearless fighter pilot" for the first ten years of his Air Force career, including a tour in Vietnam and flying 204 combat missions in the F-4. Later, he went to MIT for a master's degree in aeronautical engineering and then to Wright Pat, starting the F-16 program. He was the operations and vice commander of the 23rd Fighter Wing in A-7Ds; the Director of Operational Requirements for Tactical Air Command and Headquarters, USAF; vice and then commander of ASD. In June of 1990, he was promoted to four-star general, and subsequently served as Air Force Vice Chief of Staff during the first Gulf War, and then as commander of Air Combat Command for four years. He now has a consulting business and serves on several boards.
Mayberry, Frank D. went on to assignments including MIT and an MS degree from the University of Southern Mississippi. He attended Squadron Officer's School just before going to Clark AFB in the Phillipines, and was then assigned to South Vietnam. After Vietnam, he completed other assignments including one to Headquarters USAFE in Germany. After his Air Force career, he worked at Martin-Marietta, Hughes Aircraft Company, TRW, and eventually managed to spend two years in Alice Springs, Australia, where he and his wife made many friends.
Meinhardt, Florian P. (Phil) was an Air Evac pilot in Europe, a Liaison Officer in Vietnam, and wrote "Eagle Pull", the evacuation of Phnom Penh during his Air Force career. After receiving an MBA from UCLA, he spent 8 years in Systems Development, first as a comptroller, then as director of Advanced Space Technology. The infant Internet (DARPA Net) was under his jurisdiction for three years. His last Air Force assignment was as Chief/Command and Control, 20th Tac Ftr Wng in England. In 1988, he won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Congress, 2nd District, Kansas.
Odenweller, Robert P. (Bob) was a pilot in the B-52H. After leaving active duty with the Air Force, he became a pilot with TWA. While with TWA, he flew 30 missions in the CRAF operation during the Gulf War. Upon leaving TWA, he developed a computer program for the FAA/ATA sponsored AQP program which analyzed the quality of crew training. His lifelong interest in stamps led to an extremely large list of accomplishments and honors such as President for the FIP Commission for Traditional Philately, Director of the American Philatelic Society, numerous high positions in the Collector's Club (President 3 times, Governor, etc.), 23 years as Trustee of the Philatelic Foundation, and much more. He has also written top-award-winning books on subjects such as Postage Stamps of New Zealand 1855-1873, and The Stamps and Postal History of Nineteenth Century Samoa, both published jointly by the Royal Philatelic Society London and the Royal Philatelic Society of New Zealand.
Price, Lew P. was a navigator in C-118s and C-130s for over 5 years, flying out of McGuire AFB in New Jersey. He resigned and went to work with Pacific Telephone where he initially was given a 14-month education in telephone company engineering (electronics, protection, T-carrier, etc.). His telco education complete, he was put to work as an engineer/manager coordinating building construction. From 1983 to 1985, he "moonlighted" as the aeronautical engineer and president of Condor Aeroplane Works, Ltd. Later, he worked as a coordinating engineer for Tuttle Engineering. As a hobby, he developed much of modern flute physics and wrote a number of books on flutes and music. While crew resting in France, he had made a discovery that led to a unified theory of physics and his writing 7 small books on the subject. Today, he acts as a consultant for flutemakers and those interested in physics.
Querry, Lester R. (Les) went on to the University of Denver to receive a degree in electrical engineering. He went east to work on the Gemini Launch Vehicle and the USAF Lifting Body. He designed the Mars Lander life detection experiments, the weather satellite photo receivers at NASA-Goddard, and ELINT equipment for Rome Air Development Center. He then went into the commercial arena to develop communications products (modems, fiber optic and satellite electronics, etc.). Next he formed a consulting company for telecommunications product development which eventually allowed him to retire. His accomplishments include the design of the first commercial home computer modem, and a computerized, electronic tennis racquet. He was VP/Eng for three companies, and Div. Mgr. President of his own company. He has spent many hours in numerous activities which have helped to preserve and disseminate the history of the Class of 1960, to maintain strong class unity, and is our current class webmaster.
Rekenthaler, Douglas A. (Doug) was a C-130 troop carrier pilot and an RC-130 pilot. Obtained a master's degree in Astro-Physics, then into Weapons Laboratory, laser weapons program. Was a C-130 mission fragger and command briefer in Vietnam, then with Air Force Technical Applications as deputy for air-launched, air-recoverable missiles. Held numerous positions including three as a squadron commander, one as a CINC writer, one as a program manager, and one as Assistant to Chief Scientist, Defense Mapping Agency. He was Executive Vice President for the Phoenix Corporation, Assistant Vice President for what is now known as TRW; CEO,RTA, remote sensing studies, submarine detection methods for OSD/C31 and CIA; established joint US-USSR/Russian program of collaborative reconnaissance missions for non-acoustic anti-submarine warfare. Has a Juris Doctorate from West Virginia College of Law. Is now CEO of "Radio-Hydro-Physics LLC" for research, design, fabrication of radars for detection of submarines.
Sexton, Richard R. (Dick) flew with MATS from McGuire AFB in New Jersey, had a tour in Vietnam when we were not officially there, returned to MATS, then a full tour in Vietnam in "Puff the Magic Dragon". Went to grad school and then a tour in teaching History at USAFA. Went back to Vietnam and subsequently to Thailand in Project CHECO. Had some tours in England, the Air Force History Office, JCS, the Atlantic Council, and SHAPE. Obtained a second Master's Degree along the way. Was in the National Military Command Center in the States when Chernoble blew up. Final assignment was in DIA as XO to the Deputy Director for Production. After "retirement" had careers in real estate and paralegal services. Now does volunteer work as special advocate for abused and neglected children. Currently President of the Class Advisory Senate with the AOG
Schwank, Jock C.H. (Jock) had 25 year Air Force career including piloting the C-130A, the ski model C-130D, and flying rescue in Thailand in the HH-53 and the H-3. He was in the Department of Behavioral Science and Leadership at the Academy, and the Academy Prep School Commander. After his Air Force career, he spent 4 years running the academic programs for a "for profit" private college, 12 years as VP for Services at the AOG, and still volunteers on the Friends of the Academy Library Board of Directors.
Smith, John T. (JT) was a pilot, serving in several roles and locations including Vietnam. He then went to Wright Patterson AFB and obtained an MS in Astronautical Engineering with a follow-on assignment in that specialty. He was then assigned to fly C-130s in the 40th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Pope AFB. In 1977, he went to Europe and the 322nd Airlift Division as the Director of Current Operations at the Military Airlift Center. From 1982 to 1991, he did many things including being a Motorcycle Safety/Rider Instructor, an author, and obtaining a BS in Computer Science from Austin Peay State University. He also obtained a BA from Wright State University and an MBA from Auburn University. In 1991, he became the owner of JTS Consulting in Clarksville, Tennessee.
Walsh, Denis Leo (Denis) became an instructor pilot in B-52s. He flew Arc Light missions into Southeast Asia and then went to SAC Headquarters. After Armed Forces Staff College, he was an advisor to the Vietnamese Air Force. This was followed by a career in the FB-111. At Plattsburg, he was the best squadron commander of the best bomb squadron in SAC. He completed another tour at SAC Headquarters and then became the Wing Commander at Pease. He had another tour at Offutt and was then sent to F.E. Warren as the Air Division Commander. His Air Force career culminated in commanding the Defense Industrial Supply Center in Philadelphia. After retiring, he built an airplane and still does volunteer work.
Zimmerman, Alex D. was an F-102 pilot before going to German language training and a two years as an Olmsted scholar at the University of Munich. He went back to F-102s and more tours in aircraft which included duty in Japan and South Vietnam. He was in the Pentagon with Air Force Studies and Analysis, and in NATO as a staff officer. His final AF assignment was with the AF Test and Evaluation Center at Kirtland. As a civilian, he studied computer science and joined a defense contractor for 24 years of computer programming.
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