Married, father of 3 adult daughters and 6 grandchildren. Oldest of eight brothers and five sisters who live in Montana, Washington and Florida. I have a large extended family who served in the American, Canadian and British Armed Forces during the Second World War. My grandfather's surname was Otxoa (Basque) and it's his family coat of arms I use as my avatar.
I served during the Vietnam War 1963 - 1975, as a Petty Officer in the US Navy on a Guided Missile Destroyer and Sergeant in the US Army with an M109 Self-propelled Howitzer Field Artillery Battalion. My military occupational specialties include: Boiler Technician, Automated Combustion Control Technician, Radio Repair Technician and Radio Teletype Team Chief 05F40.
My civilian occupations include: Electronics Technician on the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex during the Apollo Program. I worked 25 years in electronics manufacturing and Mass Transit industry as an electromechanical field engineer. Then became a Journeyman Carpenter, Residential Building Designer and Commercial Construction Manager. My college majors include: Electronic Engineering, Business Administration, Supervisory Management Development, Architectural Design and Drafting. I retired in 2014 at the age of 68.
I am a member of the American Legion, Royal Air Force 153 Bomber Squadron Association and La Société des Quarante Hommes et Huit Chevaux (The Society of Forty Men and Eight Horses also know as the Honor Society of American Veterans). I love dogs, fly fishing, carpentry, farming and spending time with family.