I am a creative person[Writer], not a mechanically inclined person like many of you and several of my family members. This is NOT about me.The idea for this came when I though about How easily my Two cousins, My Brother and my Uncle pick up on anything mechanical. All Four are engineers,I have different talents! 
I will start with my Uncle Ed and my Dad and close w/ My Italian Grandmother.
During World War II [Depression era] my Dad and his Brother[Uncle Ed] had to help support the family. My Dad had a scholarship to Ohio State for Football and could not go. My Uncle dropped out of High School and had an Eight grade education…he was Four years older than my Dad.
My Father became innovative with computers. He worked for a company in the late 1950’s early 1960’s called UNIVAC. In 1967 he opened up his own Telecommunications company and was an innovator in that field. He sold it in 1982 and retired at age 50! My Father will be 88 on June 24th.My Father like a lot of successful people did not go to college for one reason or another. He and my Uncle are very reserved and cerebral. My Dad worked hard[worked smart!] for about 30 years and then was able to travel throughout the USA, Europe and Asia and enjoy the fruits of his labor.Today he is limited because of mobility issues. In the 30’s and 40’s when you got hurt playing sports, you kept playing and the technology was not nearly as good as today.Finally he was and still is always there for me. Believe me, in my younger years I got in trouble!,I know it is hard to believe!
I have to be honest. My Uncles accomplishments[although not as successful from a monetary stand point] are more impressive. He had an Eight grade education and became an Aerospace engineer for a company called Martin Marietta down in Florida.I asked my friend Bruce who is an engineer, HOW did my Uncle become an engineer with no degree and an Eight grade education? He said, he got Grandfathered in…basically on the job training. Bruce also said that engineers like your Uncle are more valuable to the company because they learn “on the Job” and are not Green right out of college. I am assuming after training for a time he probably took a test? I do not now for sure.
My Uncle Ed and his colleagues were instrumental in testing the Pershing Defense Missile System.I never knew this until after he passed away. He never said anything about it or bragged about anything.
He could build computers, fix anything,cars, TV’s, Computers,washer, dryers ect. He was a writer and wrote several books, a musician, a good Father and Built me an Ice Hockey stick when I visited him in Arkansas[Ozark Mts.] so I could play Hockey on their frozen lake!!
I have to add a Third. My Italian Grandmother who lived to 98. A simple woman[not much money], the best cook, unconditional love and very wise in her thinking and philosophy of life. She was One of Eight kids. Three came to the States. Six out of the Eight, including her, lived between 97 and 103! Two over 100. I was blessed to have met all but Two. I also went to Italy Twice and met her Brother, sister and many cousins. 
That about wraps it up. For those of you who still have your parents, Aunts/Uncles, ect. Cherish them, because time flies and things can change in an instant.
Tell me about a family member[s] who your proud of and who have inspired you.
TIME IS YOURS. :sunglasses:
