Dave McKinley
1. Retired? What %? 1. 100
2. Have you downsized? 2. Not really
3. How many different homes since finishing school? 3. 4
4.. Have you lived in a property on Nat'l Historic Reg? 4. No, but I have lived in
historic houses most of my life.
5. Have you owned/now own a "classic" car? 5. no
6. Favorite sport/game now 6. baseball
7. Favorite pastime now 7. Traveling via RV
8. How are you saving the Earth? 8. Recycle everything, drive a
diesel car
9. Important Cause you support 9. Habitat for Humanity
10. If Life is Perseverance and Luck - for you it has been 10.
Luck % 25
Perseverance % 75
11. Have you run for Office? 11. No
12. Do you write letters to the Editor? 12. sometimes
13. Lead/Led an Organization? 13 Friends of Library group,
Inland Wetland Commission
14. Personal Description in Life 14.
Other Navy R&D Laboratory
More Info
15. Worst fashion fad since 1957 For men ?
For women nearly everything
16. New word since 1957 that you use all the time ____email________________
17. Best invention since 1957 - large in scope PC
18. Best gadget since 1957 TV remote control (I can stay on the
couch)
19. Best medical breakthrough since 1957 Gene mapping
20. Your participation in the Computer revolution User
Bio
I attended RPI, graduating with a BS in Geology which I proceeded to not use as I took a job with the Naval Underwater Sound Laboratory in New London, CT. The laboratory was (and still is) engaged in advancing submarine and surface ship sonar development. I stayed at the lab for my entire career retiring at age 55 when the lab was moved to Newport, RI. It was a fun and interesting career where I was lucky enough to ride submarines extensively, serve as a science advisor at the Navy's premier submarine tactical development squadron for two tours and travel to exotic places like the Arctic icecap. For the final seven years I served on the staff of the Lab's Technical Director as Head of the Special Projects Office. There I managed the Lab's involvement in Unmanned Underwater Vehicles, Torpedo Defense and Arctic Programs. I had the most fun and challenging time in this position. I ended my career making presentations to high level Navy and civilian groups/commissions on the merit of converting a nuclear submarine to a civilian science platform. One of the more memorable occasions was having a black tie dinner on the HMS Victory, Nelson's flagship, in Portsmouth Harbor, UK with a UK scientific team. The Brits know how to entertain!
On the personal side, in the summer of '61 I married Jill Pendergrast from Atlanta, GA, a sophomore math major at Vassar. She completed her degree at Connecticut College in '65 with three kids already born. We ended the first kid binge at four in '67 with two boys and two girls in that order. Besides the normal raising the family stuff we worked on restoring old houses. The first was an 1840 whaling captain's home in Gales Fery, CT. In '68 we moved to Canterbury, CT to a 40 acre farm into an early 1700's rambling 12 room wreck - a real challenge that took nearly 30 years to tame and eventually cost us the marriage.
On the farm we raised chickens for awhile, always had a beef cow in pasture and dabbled with raising pigs for a few years. Yes, the kids got to slop the pigs, not their favorite pastime.
In '79 we had another son to be followed in '81 with a daughter. All the kids except the last boy (has a serious girlfriend) are married. The oldest four with their allotted two children, being smart enough not to repeat the madness of their parents. However, we are expecting again with the two youngest girls!
Jill and I separated amicably in '90, and I luckily was introduced to Jean Hanselman Owen in '93. We married in '94 and have a great life together. Jean has two older children, both married. The oldest has three kids. In 2004 Jean and I moved to Bolton, MA into a 1735 house on a beautiful pond to be closer to the grandchildren. We RV to the SW every winter. With our good health and our extended families good health we feel blessed. Of course, Brad Pitt should portray me in the movie.