midnyte

My father passed away last night. He almost made it to his birthday.

He was a brilliant man and a sad loss to the world. He invented the clutch in Black and Decker power tools, the hydraulics they use in outer space and various components still used in aviation today. He also worked on various components of the X-15, the very first computers and other cutting edge technology for his time.

He served the US Army during the Korean conflict as their field engineer and saved many lives and made the lives of the US Servicemen better and kept electricity flowing at his outpost to allow for better medical treatment of the wounded. He also fixed a flaw in the medical breathing machines they use during surgery.

He was a lifelong vegetarian and a very peaceful and loving man. Unique and eccentric to a fault, he was never afraid to be himself. In the Army and in all aspects of his life he refused to conform. He had long hair in the 40's and 50's and would not cut it, even for the military. He had Top Secret clearance and worked on many classified projects which he never talked about. He was renowned for his honesty and uprightness. One of those few completely selfless truly good souls.

Prior to going to college, he was a singer and actor like his parents and performed with Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland. I hope he is at peace and in the loving light of his mother and grandfather who both always meant the world to him.