Tuesday, October 9, 2012

#80) 2004 Reunion Photos Published on LM

Table 2 of 21 Tables

The complete set of table photographs from the 2004 Librascope Reunion were published today on the Librascope Memories (LM) website at http://www.librascopememories.com. The photo album consisting of twenty-two (22) photographs may be viewed in the Photos section of the website. A link to the index of names for each table is also available when the 2004 Reunion album is opened.

The 2004 Reunion was held at the Castaway Banquet Center in Burbank, CA on November 20, 2004. Approximately 200 people attended.

The Advertisements album in the same Photos section was revised to include four (4) more vintage Librascope advertisements from the 1950's and 60's. The total is now fifty-two (52).

Over one-hundred (100+) additional photos from the 2006 and 2008 Reunions will also be published soon, so watch for future announcements on this Blog.

Finally, you'll note on the Librascope Memories web-site's Welcome page countdown counter that there are now less than twenty-five (25) days until the 2012 Reunion,  Georgine Archer will need to provide the host facility a final headcount soon, so please RSVP to her ASAP. If you can't attend, please let her know that too.

PS: Have you checked the "Currently Lost Libravets" list lately at http://goo.gl/siDji? If you know the whereabouts of anyone on this list, please let us know.

Friday, September 28, 2012

#79) In Memoriam - Jack Bamberger

Jack Bamburger, 1979

The following e-mail was received this morning from Rick Bamberger: 

"I regret to announce that a very great man, my Dad, passed away in his sleep about 1:30am this morning, September 28, 2012.

He served his country for over 22 years in the US Navy (a veteran of WWII and Korea), upon leaving the military he was employed in the private sector for over 27 years with Librascope (now part of Lockheed Martin), and was retired for the past 25 years. He lived a long and full life to the wonderful age of 94.

I will miss him as he was my father and a friend."

Rick Bamberger
 


Jack started at Librascope in late 1961, and worked there until he retired 27 years later.  In 1979 he was promoted to Manager of Publications.  

Jack last attended the Librascope Reunion in 2008, where many enjoyed visiting with him. 

 

Tuesday, September 25, 2012

#78) April 2010 Has Beens Luncheon Photos

Bernie Richman, Mal Scharer, Will Teragawa, and Harold Klein











Bob Fuchiek, A.J. Pankratz, Ken Burton, Roy Bartlome, and  Jerry Beushausen

Ted Aitken, Emery Fekety, John Gustafson, Shep Girion, and Don Barton

Earl Valdez, Jerry Deitz, Ralph Simon, Walt Picker, and Hank Pinczower
 
Mark Beushausen, Dan Sibley, Frank Copple, and Phyliss Elkins

Charlotte Ashby, Bob Douglas, Steve Shepard, and Tom Charbonneau

Georgine Archer, Ray Hand, Ed Niekamp, and Don Tubbs

Thanks to Georgine Archer and Dave Snyder (Photographer) for providing the above photographs.

Saturday, September 22, 2012

#77) Two New Photo Albums Published on LM

In case you haven't checked the Librascope Memories (LM) website recently, two new 1990's vintage photo albums were published there earlier this month.

1995 Service Awards Luncheon Collage
The first album contains 18 candid photos that were taken at the 1995 Service Awards Luncheon hosted by Ed Arnold, Librascope President, at the Cinnabar in Glendale. The service awards were for those senior Libravets who had recently celebrated a major award anniversary with Librascope. Carl Sorensen, VP of Quality and Resource Management, presided over the ceremony. Other attendees included Don Barton, Ralph Simon, Stacy Lavender, Tom Charbonneau, Tom Cuda, Ray Hand, Larry Anderson, Margie Boudinot, Joseph Collin, and Peter Chang.

BSY-2 Collage
The second photo album is an assortment of BSY-2 pictures. During the early 1990's, Librascope was in full production of the BSY-2 Fire Control System Program for the U.S. Navy. During this time there were many visits by the Navy to attend periodic program reviews, and tour the manufacturing facility where they could inspect the systems being built for the Navy's new Seawolf attack submarine program.

Both of these photo albums may be accessed from the Photos section on www.librascopememories.com. Click here to go directly to the Photos section, and simply click on the album you wish to view.

Saturday, September 8, 2012

#76) REM - Make Your 2012 Reunion Reservations Early!



You are invited to a

Librascope Employee Reunion


A time to greet and enjoy your Librascope friends and colleagues
And view Librascope memorabilia.

Saturday, November 3, 2012
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 
Angeles National Golf Club
9401 Foothill Blvd, Sunland, CA
(818) 951-8771
For directions please visit: http://angelesnational.com/directions.html

Buffet Luncheon - $40.00 per person

Coffee at 9 a.m., No Host Bar at 11:00 a.m., Lunch at 12:45 p.m.

Please RSVP to Georgine Archer by October 26, 2012:
By E-mail:  geoarcher@netzero.net            By phone:  (818) 848-5664

With confirmation by check payable to and sent to:

Georgine Archer
509 East Andover Drive
Burbank, CA  91504

No refunds after October 26, 2012.


WIVES, HUSBANDS, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS ARE INVITED

Please help us spread the word to all former Librascope employees and their guests.

Former associates of Librascope are, of course, welcome too.


Enjoy almost 300 scanned Librazettes from 1940 to 1999 and

many other Librascope documents at www.librascopememories.com

 

To share YOUR Librascope memorabilia at the reunion,

Contact Don Tubbs, 818-249-7242 (Pdtubbs@earthlink.net).


Wednesday, September 5, 2012

#75) In Memoriam - Harold Klein

Harold and Dora Klein at the 2006 Librascope Reunion
Dora Klein, Harold Klein’s wife called Ray Hand on Saturday, September 1 with the news that Harold had passed away quietly in his sleep the night before.  Harold had been in good health until very recently when he was diagnosed with a very aggressive cancer.  Ray talked to Harold’s daughter-in-law and offered to inform Harold’s many Libravet friends.  She expressed her appreciation, and said that final arrangements for Harold had not yet been finalized.

Harold had a long successful career at Librascope from the 1960’s through 1990’s and beyond.  In the 1960’s he was Program Manager for the NUWS Laboratory for analyzing torpedo test data from the Librascope designed Digital Data Acquisition System.  In the 1990‘s he was Manager of Advanced Concepts Development and played a leadership role in the design of combat systems for the Australian, Canadian, and Indian navies.  After retirement he was continually asked to consult on navy combat systems designs by Lockheed Martin - Manassas.

The following tributes to Harold have been received from Librascope management.

Harold was an excellent contributor during his many years with Librascope. He had a broad technical background and always was impressive in dealing with customers.
Walt Picker, President

Harold was a systems  authority in the ASW area and was well thought of by our NAVY and the other Navies in the world with whom we had contact and contracts. I found him an easy and caring person to talk with..and he will be missed. 
Jerry Deitz, Vice President - Engineering

Friday, August 31, 2012

#74) Information about lost Libravet sought by Niece

Occasionally we are contacted by people searching for information about a Libravet they have lost contact with. Recently, we received an e-mail request from a lady who was searching for detailed information about her deceased Uncle, Verle McClure. She knew he worked at Librascope over 50 years ago, but little else for certain. A quick search of the 300 plus Librazettes on our Librascope Search website, produced a dozen issues that his name appeared in. A closer study of those newspapers indicated that he had started with Librascope on July 6, 1948 and retired sometime in the early 1980's. During this time, he was a popular union representative in the shop. This information, including a photo of Verle taken for his 25th service anniversary in the July 1973 Librazette, was greatly appreciated, and provided enough information to pursue additional searches. Verle passed away in 1992 at the age of 77.

#73) Librascope Building Complex Update

Building 8's Directory
I stopped by the old Librascope building complex recently, and noted the following. First of all, Buildings 1 and 2, that were on Flower Street, are completely gone. You cannot tell they were ever there. The rest of the complex (including Buildings 3 and 17) appears to be completely occupied by Disney, although there is very little signage to indicate their presence. The only interesting sign of theirs was a small two-story building directory next to the front entrance of Building 8, which is now titled "Disney Television Animation". See photo of sign (left).
    
"Disney Television Animation", aka Building 8


Wednesday, August 22, 2012

#72) In Memoriam - John ("Gus") Gustafson

John ("Gus") Gustafson 1975
The following announcement was received from John Wm. Gustafson's children:

A CELEBRATION OF LIFE WILL BE HELD FOR OUR FATHER, JOHN Wm. GUSTAFSON, THIS SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2012 AT 2 PM, AT THE CENTRAL FILIPINO CHURCH OF SEVENTH DAY ADVENTISTS. 777 COLORADO BLVD, LOS ANGELES. Click here for map.

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO THE LIBRAVET FAMILY. ALL ARE WELCOME.

Last Thursday, August 16th, John's daughter, Sheila, sent me the following:

Father's Day - 2012
"This is Sheila Moretta (Gustafson), John Gustafson's daughter.  I wanted to let you know that he passed away this morning at around 2am. He'd been sick in the hospital for the past 2 weeks with an infection, but was on the mend and was laughing and joking as of yesterday.  He took a turn for the worse overnight and never recovered.
I know he was liked by many of our Libravets.
When I find out when his service is, I will let you know so it can be posted".
Thank you,
Sheila Moretta (Gustafson)
John Playing His Sax in 1987


 John was 81 in July, and worked at Librascope from 1955 - 1963, 1968 - 1971, and 1973 - 2000, when the Glendale facility was closed. During this time, he occupied many high level Librascope Engineering positions and worked on countless programs that were important to the Nation's defense. Gus was highly respected by fellow workers and customers alike for his technical and management skills. He was also well known for his superior saxaphone skills.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

#71) In Memoriam - Richard ("Dick") Varnon

Richard Varnon's wife reports that Dick passed away at noon Sunday August 12, 2012 at the age of 75. In 1967, Dick started at Librascope in the Installation Engineering Department (see 1969 photo below). He retired 26 years later in 1993 as the Manager of Integrated Logistics Support (ILS).

Librascope Installation Engineering Department - 1969. Foreground L - R, Jack Kelly, Joe Sanfilippo, and Dick Varnon. Photo courtesy of Joe Sanfilippo.
Richard's wife says everyone is welcome to attend a "Celebration of Dick's Life" tomorrow, Friday August 17th from 6 PM to 10 PM at the Summit Club House at 26400 Delmonte Drive in Valencia, CA. Dick will be cremated and buried at sea. An obituary has not been published.

Tuesday, July 31, 2012

#70) Help Support Librascope Memories With a Free Dropbox

If you are an active computer user, you've probably heard about Dropbox, a simple but reliable computer data storage company that has grown to over 50 million users since 2008. Librascope Memories has been a very satisfied user since 2009. The product works on nearly all platforms, including Windows, Mac OS-X, and most smartphones.

Dropbox offers its users both free and paid accounts that provide up to 200 GB of storage, and there is no limit on individual file size. The first 2 GB is free to new subscribers, but additional free storage is given to current users who sign up new users. Librascope Memories uses several GB of storage, which currently requires that we have an expensive paid account. Future additions to the Librascope Memories website will require that we have even more storage. However, if enough Libravets sign up for a new free account via the special link provided below, we'll have enough free storage to support our website far in to the future.

When you sign up for a free account by clicking the special link below, you'll receive 2 GB of free storage immediately after you complete the installation of Dropbox. In addition, I'll receive 1 GB of additional free storage. Note, after you complete your installation, you too can receive additional free storage by signing up your friends and relatives.

To get started, you must click this special Dropbox link: http://db.tt/3LOdTmT


Note, after you click on the above URL, you'll see a new link at the bottom of the sign up page which will quickly and simply explain Dropbox in more detail.



Sunday, July 29, 2012

#69a) 2012 Librascope Reunion - Only 96 Days Away!

Angeles National Golf Clubhouse in Sunland, CA

As announced last February 24th in Blog Post #54 (click here), the 2012 Librascope Reunion will be held on Saturday November 3rd, at the Angeles National Golf Clubhouse in Sunland, CA. Please help us spread the word to all former Librascope employees and their guests. Former associates of Librascope are, of course, welcome too.

Detailed invitations will be sent out in late August, shortly after Georgine returns from vacation. Meanwhile, please mark Saturday November 3rd on your calendar and await further information next month.

Monday, June 25, 2012

#68) Important News about Librascope Memories

Our main Librascope Memories website at www.librascopememories.com (click here) is now hosted by a new website hosting service, Rage Software in Canada. This change was necessary because our previous host (Apple's MobileMe) is being discontinued this coming Friday, June 30th. 

Consequently, a few minor feature changes to our website were necessary, but probably no one will notice their absence. The elimination of MobileMe’s Gallery feature, a supplemental photo/video option we provided for viewing our Libravet videos and photo albums on an Apple TV or separately on a computer screen, was the most significant change. You may, however, continue to view this Gallery at http://gallery.me.com/sonofsoren (click here) until June 30th. A new supplemental Photo and Video feature will be announced in the future.

Nearly all direct and indirect website references to MobileMe and its various discontinued features have now been converted so as to be compatible with our new host's requirements, including the information our domain forwarder requires. In addition, the major search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Bing have all been advised of this hosting change.

This conversion should be totally complete soon; however, if you experience any problems in the meantime, please let me know so they can be corrected. You may, for example, receive the following error message during the next few weeks ----

"Looking for something on MobileMe? We can't find the page you requested. Please make sure the URL is spelled and capitalized correctly, and try again".


#67) In Memoriam - Paul Porco

Paul Porto
Larry Knowles reported recently that Paul Porto passed away on May 26, 2012 at the age of 88. Paul worked at Librascope from 1948 until he retired in 1988 after 40 years.  His obituary was published in the Los Angeles Daily News at:

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ladailynews/obituary-print.aspx?n=paul-porco&pid=157867921

#66) In Memoriam - Jack Kelley

Jack Kelley
John (Jack) F. Kelley passed away June 14, 2012 at the age of 81. Jack worked at Librascope for 36 years - starting in 1956 and retiring as a Senior Engineer in Specialty Engineering in 1992. There are many pictures of him in the Librazettes on-line, including a retirement picture with his wife, Chickie, in the June, 1992 issue. Jack last attended the 2008 Libravet Reunion.

Thanks to Joe Sanfilippo for sending me the following link to Jack's obituary, where you can leave a message in the guest book.

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/the-signal/obituary.aspx?n=john-jack-f-kelley&pid=158120350

Saturday, May 12, 2012

#65) A New Librascope Blog Format For Your Smartphone

Librascope News Blog on an iPhone 4
Up until now, when the Librascope Memories - News Blog was viewed on a smartphone such as an iPhone, the information was too small to read or control comfortably.

Now, a new reformatted blog design is available for smartphones (and iPod Touches), which has been considerably improved for accessability. If you already have the Librascope Blog bookmarked, it should automatically convert over to the new format the next time you view it. The new format is shown here on an iPhone 4. You will note that the text is much larger than before. Blog posts are viewed by simply scrolling downward, and selecting the ones to be read.

If you don't already have the Librascope Memories - News Blog on your smartphone, just bookmark: www.librascopememories.blogspot.com in your browser and you'll be done. Note, on most smartphones today, you can also elect to have a dedicated bookmark icon placed on your "Home Screen" and labeled "Librascope Blog". Finally, I should mention that for those who may wish to return to the old format temporarily, there is a "web version" link provided at the bottom of each page.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

#64) Oxman's Surplus, Inc. - 51 years in Santa Fe Springs, CA

Did you know there is still an old time war surplus store/museum operating for profit in Southern California? It's run by its 96 year old founder and his family. Earlier this year, Libravet Stan Bucklien sent me a copy of an LA Times article describing the place, which was then celebrating its 50th anniversary. Click here to read the very interesting story (less photos) that Stan found.

According to the newspaper article, one of the items in the museum's collection is a Librascope B-17 Balance Computer from WWII. If you'd like to visit, Oxman's is located at:

14128 E. Rosecrans Ave.
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
1-562-921-1106
1-888-569-6257
Hours, etc. are posted on Oxman's website at - click here.

#63) Librascope Mk 13 Mod 0 Angle Solver - RFI

The following e-mail was recently received from a new subscriber to this Blog that I did not recognize:

Carl
The reason you do not have my email in your database is because I was never connected to Librascope. I subscribed so that I might be able to find out some information about a Librascope item I have in my collection . Perhaps you can help me find out the history and purpose of this creation.

What I have is an Angle Solver MK13 MOD 0, Serial Number 2. It also has a tag above this stating "Prototype". The unit weighs 984 pounds and I bought it from a person in Norfolk, Virginia who evidently bought it surplus from the government. The unit is set up for a motor torpedo boat. What I would like to find out is why it was made, and if any documents still exist that might show how to take the unit apart as the dials need some work because of some surface rust plus some of the wheels do not turn as freely as they should. I would be happy to send you pictures of the unit if that would help.
I thank you for any help you can render about this unit.
Richard Dembinski 

Note, I Googled "Angle Solver" for Richard, and found an interesting writeup on Wikipedia that may be of interest. Click here. I have asked  Richard to send me a photo of his unit to post on this Blog. In the meantime, if you have any information or questions for Richard, please e-mail me and I will forward them to him. Thanks, Carl 
June 1, 2012 update. 
Mr. Dembinski provided the above photograph of his Angle Solver.

Monday, April 16, 2012

#62) In Memoriam - Ronald L. Norton


Ron Norton - 1982
The following obituary was received recently from Ron's wife Nancee:

Ronald L. Norton, age 78, passed away peacefully at home on April 4, 2012 with his loving wife at his side. Fortunately his courageous struggle with cancer was short and relatively pain free.

Ron was born and raised in Southern California. He graduated from Mt. Carmel Catholic High School. He loved his Country and proudly served in the United States Air Force from 1953 to 1957. He joined Librascope in 1967 where he retired as a Provisioning Support Engineer in 1992. Ron also loved the outdoors. He loved to tell stories about backpacking and fishing in the Sierras with his three daughters and his dog Grenny.


In 1980 Ron met and married his wife Nancee. Their friendship and love was strong and true until he took his last breath with her at his side. When they moved from Southern California to Pocatello, Idaho in 1993, it made life perfect. 


Ron leaves behind his wife Nancee, his two loving and devoted friends Mark Samuelson and Linda Smith, his three daughters, Christianne, Gabrielle, Danielle and his loyal and now lonely pups, Hooch and Murphy.

The family wants to thank all our friends and family, both near and far, who have been so supportive and the wonderful caregivers who did so much to make him comfortable from the time this whole ordeal began a little over two months ago. A special thanks to our angels at Creekside Home Health and Hospice. To our Niki, our Toni, our Brandie, our Kara and especially Susan, Thank You so much. We would have been lost without you.


At Ron’s emphatic request, there will be no funeral or memorial service. He will be cremated and come back home. Instead of flowers, a donation to the Pocatello, Idaho Animal Shelter would make him smile.

#61) John Brower Passed Away

Terri Brower reports that Jonn Brower passed away on April 1, 2012 in the state of Washington. Don Tubbs worked with John in the Design Department for many years. Further information is not available.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

#60) A Response to the "Building 28" Bar Question - Post #57

Jim Conway, formerly listed on "Currently Lost Libravets" (click here), recently wrote us:

I worked at Librascope from 1957 until 1964. I was fortunate to have one of the best bosses, Lane Wolman, I ever worked for. I started at Librascope after graduating from UCLA, and I left to join Scientific Data Systems which was later purchased by Xerox.

As to "Building 28", it was actually called "Ken and Rod's", and it was located off of San Fernando Road. It was known for its cheap draft beer, hamburgers, and chili. There were baskets of peanuts to go with the draft beer, and the floor was covered with peanut shells. They also cashed checks on pay day.

We had many engineering meetings at Building 28!

Where do I register as a Librascope alumni?

_______________________________________________________________
E-mail subscribers - click here to go to the Home page of the Librascope Memories - News Blog, where you can review Blog Posts #1 - 60, read other reader's comments, and record your own comments. 

Saturday, March 17, 2012

#59) Mel Kaye, Legendary LGP-30 Programmer -

Anthony Cuozzo, a young (non-Libravet) defense industry programmer recently contacted me to request information about a Libravet. Anthony is a big admirer of the programming work Mel Kaye did on the LGP-30 during the 1950's. Mel's work is legendary and has been documented on the Internet. See "The Story of Mel" (click here), and the Wikipedia (click here). Note, Mel worked on the LGP-30 at Libascope in the 1950's prior to his work for Royal McBee. An LGP-30 story on the front page of the August, 1956 Librazette (click here) mentions Mel, and tells of the transfer of certain responsibilities to Royal-McBee, one of Librascope's sister divisions.

If possible, Anthony would like very much to interview Mel in person, but would also like to communicate with anyone that knew Mel or knows of his work. Anthony has been doing this research for the past four years and assures me his motivation is entirely altruistic, since he believes his work will further enrich the programming community.

If you can help Anthony in any way, please leave a comment below or send me an e-mail and I will forward it to him.
_______________________________________________________________

E-mail subscribers - click here to go to the Home page of the Librascope Memories - News Blog, where you can review Blog Posts #1 - 59, read other reader's comments, and record your own comments.