Retired Stress Analysts Celebrate 10 Years
by Tom Nelson (June, 2012)
Having just
celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Retired Stress Analysts group in
May 2012, it seems appropriate to announce their existence to all MARS
STAR readers.
The Ten-Year
celebration luncheon was held at the El Rancho Restaurant north of
Evergreen with 35 members and guests in attendance. A slideshow program
featured history and highlights of the organization as well as a review
of all the luncheon locations and many programs conducted by the group.
A wrap-up paid respects to all deceased members from the past 10 years,
then looked at possible future directions for the group.

Luncheon host Tom
Nelson addresses the group at El Rancho, with Tom Brown and Dave Sloan
in the foreground (Photo by Terrell Campbell)
The 56-member
group is composed of all retirees from Martin Marietta, Lockheed
Martin, and now ULA, that were ever employed in their aerospace career
as Stress Analysts. They started meeting for Quarterly luncheons around
the Metro Denver area in 2002 and have now firmed up a schedule that
includes a February Luncheon in Littleton, May in Evergreen, August in
Dillon, and November in Castle Rock.
Following each
lunch there is a presentation by one of the members which has always
been something unique and interesting that the members are doing. These
programs have included foreign travel (Europe, South America,
Australia), volunteer activities, athletic adventures (Mountaineering,
Cycling, SCUBA diving), military service in WWII, hobbies and craft
activities, and even engineering accomplishments from their working
days. Most presenters use the group’s digital projection A/V equipment
with photos, videos or PowerPoint slides.
Early on in
2002, a web site/email list was created
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/retMMCstress> to make for smooth
communication among the membership. Digital photos from each luncheon
are posted on the site, as well as membership rosters with complete
contact information.
It's really been
neat to renew friendships with many of the co-workers that likely would
not be seen very often except for these regular luncheons.
The Retired
Stress Group maintains 4 different rosters including: active members,
deceased members, a list of potential members they have been unable to
contact, and finally a list of employees that we expect may soon be
retiring. We also invite members to bring guests from other
departments, and once each year we invite all Mechanical Engineering
Department retirees that are able to be contacted.
They always
looking for the few elusive retired stress analysts that are not
current members of the group, so if you qualify please contact Tom
Nelson at <tom10@wispertel.net>, or Tom Brown at
<t.g.brown@comcast.net>.