Stephen (Steve) Baits

3282 Ramblewood Lane

Rockford, IL  61114

Email Sbaits@aol.com

I worked in the Harrison Ave. plant retiring officially in 1988 after 38+ years and then continued another 18 months part time with the legal department coordinating with engineering.  My main job was with engineering in various capacities but I wore other hats as well. 

 

Dorothy, my wife of 55 years, and I have 4 children and 7 grandchildren.  Two of our kids are engineers, one a chemist and the fourth a CPA, all living near by so that we can easily get together often and participate in the grandchildren's many activities.  I keep busy with golf, pool and swimming and we travel extensively both here and abroad.  We manage to take care of our house ourselves although high ladder work is now forbidden by Dorothy.  We are fortunate to enjoy good health although the years playing hand ball, squash, and racquet ball have taken their toll on knees.

I was fortunate to enjoy my years at Sundstrand.  It was a pleasure to go to work.

 

John A. Bates, current residence Rockford, IL
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Email cyberbyker@aol.com
Currently single. I have one son, he and his wife and their two children boys 5 and 7 live in Indiana, on a small farm where my son’s mother was born. They are raising grass-fed beef cattle and recently acquired a Murray Grey bull to improve the herd.
In 1953 I made my first trip to Rockford from McHenry IL to enlist in the US Army. I served three years, including a year each in Salzburg, Austria and Verona, Italy. In 1957 I started at DeVry Tech on the GI Bill and earned an Associate Degree in Electronics. Was interviewed by Steve Pulaski, hired, and started at Sundstrand in January 1959, reporting to Lars Hallberg in the Load Controller & Electrical Section in the four-story on 11th St. In 1963 I was transferred to Manufacturing, as General Foreman of Electrical Assembly, reporting to Maynard Crowell.  Had no previous management experience, but that is the way we did  it then! Sink or Swim! Held responsibility for Paint & Wire and Overhaul Machining at various times. Involved in the Pesco and Vapair acquisitions, Space Shuttle, and brought generator assembly  on line. Hired innumerable fascinating personnel for shop and office! In the mid-eighties I was transferred to Manucturing Engineering , was introduced to Cad, and developed JIS’s for CSD & IDG assembly. Took early retirement in January, 1993, returned to work under contract on and off for the next 10 years , finally quit altogether in 2003. In the meantime, I made many trips to the West Coast on my Harley, usually camping. Made many off-road trips to the Southwest Canyonlands in my 4 wheel drive truck, camping out in the back country of Utah. If you have read the Edward Abbey books, that is where I have been. Also made a memorable trip to the northern tip of  New Foundland, the original Viking settlement at L'Anse aux Meadows.
 Have had ups and downs with health in last year, keeping me off my Harley, but am currently in relatively good shape. Hope to travel to the Southwest again this Fall.
In summation, I have had a very good life, both at Sundstrand, during my travels, and with my family. I am looking forward to more, the continual search for romance and adventure!  

 

BLACKHAWK WOODCARVERS of Rockford
Information submitted by Ray Olson, (Sundstrand Retiree)

 

The 13th annual woodcarving show will be Saturday, August 4th in the Klehm Arboretum & Botanic Garden Visitor Center Visitors Center from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm.  Displayed and for sale will be excellent woodcarvings ranging from small caricatures to large statues.  The many categories of interest will be land and water animals, human forms, relief panels of many subjects, mythology, caricatures, walking canes, to name a few.  Awards will be given based on the judging of the submitted carvings for competition.  Besides the Rockford region, the carvers come from carving clubs in downstate Illinois, Chicago, and Wisconsin.  This is not a whittling show, but an assembly of carvers and sculptors who seek artistic perfection whether from a small hand-held carving to one of 5-feet tall.

 

The Blackhawk Woodcarvers was founded in 1993, a number of Sundstrand retires are active members and as part of the carving club are helping to support ihe goal of preserving and encouraging the art of woodcarving.  Membership is open to anyone having any skill of carving, including those who have never carved and want to learn the art of carving.  There are over 65 members in the Blackhawk Woodcarver club.  Most of the members are from Rockford Northern IL area with a number from the regions of Wisconsin.  Many of the club members share the knowledge and experience with various organizations in the Rockford regional area (Boy Scouts, retirement homes, schools, and senior centers). 
 
Admission to the show is $3.00 and children under 12 years old are free.  River District Catering of Rockford will provide food and beverages.  For any question call (815) 397-8910.