I wanted to let everyone know that a big change is happening this week for me. I celebrated my 45th work anniversary at WTTW/WFMT yesterday. This is the only employer I have worked for following my graduation from Bradley University. From the day I started, I have been part of a team installing, maintaining and designing equipment and systems for use in our broadcast operation. During that time, I have worked with a number of very talented people and have been given a long list of opportunities. I have had so much fun working here, it seems like only last week that I started. During the past 45 years, I have always said âyes, I can do thatâ and it never failed to allow me to do things most people can only dream about. Shortly after starting, myself and another engineer worked on recording stereo audio on video tape. This allowed us to electronically edit TV programming in stereo instead of using a razor blade and splicing the tape together. We had a series of audio heads made to our specification. That specification eventually became the standard for stereo audio tracks on 2" quadruplex video tape. We then modified record electronics so that we could electronically edit the tape for both audio and video. That move lead to my station becoming involved in developing stereo audio broadcasting for TV in the US. As part of that team, I helped develop standards for audio testing over the air which led to âon airâ testing for FCC acceptance. My station was the first station in the US to broadcast in stereo. The testing took place at night, over the course of several years in order to satisfy all competing manufacturers. I spent most of those nights working in Sears Tower on the 102nd floor. When not working on the testing, I worked on methods to be able to broadcast stereo audio through our current mono equipment.
I have also been responsible for installing all audio production equipment over these 45 years. It began with the first multitrack audio console installed in a TV station in Chicago. My most recent installation is a 116 input audio console, coupled to a 128 track ProTools recorder and a variety of other equipment. I also have converted the entire radio station to a digital format using audio over IP.
I am very thankful for all of the projects I have been able to work on, I am proud to have been part of this advancement in technology. However, things change with time and this is no different. Having achieved 45 years with the same employer, it is no time to redirect my efforts. I will be retiring Thursday. It has been a fun time, and I hope all of you can find something that not only pays the bills but gives you the satisfaction of never really working a day in your life. I can truly say that I have the most fun working here.
However, I am not leaving robots. I will still be around for as long as I can connect with the students and help all of you get through this competition. I am only changing venues and will be working at home. My email is listed here on CD and so if you need you can contact me there. Have a fun summer everyone.
An amazing career, with more amazing achievements, and an even more amazing feat of working that long at 1 employer. Retirement well deserved, good luck in your home endeavors and I look forward to catching up again at a future robotics event.
I just canât remember those call letters tho⌠I lived in Streamwood Il back in the early 70, I was just a teenager (wishing there was something like FIRST Robotics!).
All I can remember is WLS and WBBM⌠sigh
Take care, and stay busy, maybe a 36 track IMU for the robots. lol
We are so lucky to have you as part of FIRST. I can only imagine how valuable you were to WTTW over all these years. It mustâve been great to see you in action there.
I look forward to seeing you at Midwest next year. Cheers!
Those are some very cool accomplishments. Technology advances rapidly, but few people actually get to play a definitive role in pushing it forward.
Glad to hear youâre going to be sticking around with FIRST. I think more people need to hear the âfind a way to do what you loveâ story. Iâm fortunate to know exactly what youâre talking about. Iâve only been teaching for 20 years, but it seems to have gone by in a flash. (Not sure Iâll be sticking it out for another 25, mind youâŚ)
Make sure to post a few more photos of the view from the top of the tower⌠Iâve always enjoyed reading about what you do when you arenât helping teams build better robots!
WTTW is Chicagoâs PBS station (itâs really good!). I know the Chicago Tonight program has done extensive segments on FRC many times in the past, and Iâm sure Al had a big part in helping make that happen.
Congrats on a great professional career Al. Youâre one of the premier mentors and volunteers not just in Illinois but all of FIRST and Iâm glad to hear youâll stay involved with FIRST. Happy retirement!
Al, congratulations on your retirement. Certainly well-deserved. Check in with us if you find yourself wanting something to do. Itâll only be weird for a couple of weeks, but then itâll start sinking in, and it will be good. This is your punishment for killing NTSC.
I guess the child labor laws were different back thenâŚ
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Kids reading this: **Today a 45-year career is virtually unthinkable, but if you really figure out what you enjoy doing, and get someone to pay you to do it, the time will fly by (Al wasnât kidding). Chase happiness, not money, because if you like what youâre doing, youâll be exceptionally good at it, and the money will come later.
Congrats Al! 45 years can go by in a blink of an eye, though sometimes even one overnight can feel like an eternity. Youâve made a significant contribution to the world at work and impacted so many students in FIRST.
Happy retirement!