John M. Weber – 50th Reunion Essay

John M. Weber

15 Kennedy Dr

Bedford, NH 03110

johnmweb@yahoo.com

603-714-0442

Spouse(s): Dina Press Weber (1973)

Child(ren): Jason N. (1979); Evan M. (1981); Margreta E.S. (1986)

Grandchild(ren): Sophie Grace Weber (2016); Isaac Jensen Doerfler (2016)

Education: Yale ’69, BS

Career: Engineering/Manufacturing Management, Corning Inc 1970–1983; BAE Systems, Inc Engineering, Manufacturing Management, Engineering Management 1984–2008; Semi-retired Engineer BAE Systems 2008–present. Product development and introduction of defense maritime products.

Avocations: Family, water & snow skiing, high school wrestling coach 1994–2006, various home projects. Treasurer of local synagogue.

College: Timothy Dwight

Looked at the 25th reunion book and my blank entry. The 25th reunion was great, but the essay never made it onto my radar.

Bright College Years: Eight years of all male environments at Yale and The Hill weren’t “the shortest, gladdest years of life,” although they certainly pushed my development far beyond what it otherwise would have been. Yale was also a very humbling experience for me (it probably was for many)—I wasn’t used to being just average or below average. But after I left and entered “the real world,” I truly missed the community of minds, open and honest discussions allowing for differing perspectives and points of view with respect. Is Yale that way today? Beneath the surface, I hope so. But officially, no. I wonder, though, how much of our discontent is simply the generational divide.

Regrets: Lost my parents just before senior year, and with them, most direction. Drifted around after graduation. Left New Haven without looking back. Did a deferred enlistment in the Air Force in fall of ’69, did an SIE after a month (story unto itself), moved back to Corning NY where I grew up, got an engineering job, and just spent the next few years pulling a paycheck, riding motorcycles, drinking, and being generally useless. In December 1972, I met my wife to be, Dina, married September 1973. Have since built one life together and added two sons, a daughter, and some grandchildren.

I’m lucky—the two of our three children with the grandchildren live nearby (their choice). I still have most of my mind, am healthy, and seem to be dealing with the effects of aging reasonably well. Still snow ski and slalom water ski, not as strong as the old days, but technically better (necessary to manage decreased strength).

Career: Not much exciting to report. Engineering based, product development, and transition to manufacturing in large companies with enough job changes along the way to remain stimulated. Retired on paper in 2008 to get out of management and be hands-on. I may actually retire this year, since my wife Dina retired from teaching last June. I’m still figuring out the retirement scenario. I left the big jobs and careers to others!

I remain grateful for what I have, for every new day, and hope to be at the 50th (no guarantees). Every day, I’m amazed at everything we have and try not to take simple things (especially my other half) for granted. The engineer in me looks with amazement at the technical sophistication and reliability of things like the car I drive and the rate of technical innovation and change. I don’t take for granted all of this and think of how many in the world (now or ever) struggle for the simple necessities of life. I also cannot envision the world our grandchildren will see as adults.

As with many, I spent the majority of my life acquiring material things and money (worried about not having enough, but finally stopped worrying). I’m trying to unburden myself of excess material “stuff” and focus on relationships and experiences. I attempt to find purpose in my daily activity, try to look more forward than back. As for meaning, I feel that we are moral beings in an indifferent universe (Camus’s absurdist philosophy). Maybe that will change.