Among our 300+ members we have several members who are over 90 years old. That in itself is amazing. What is even more outstanding is that they still attend our computer club meetings and participate in classes and volunteering. After reading their stories (listed alphabetically by last name) below you will discover that they mostly all have several things in common, aside from being over 90.
tom brockenbrough
Tom was born in Buena Vista, Virginia in 1920. He attended Washington & Lee University (W&L) from 1939 - 1941; Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) from 1941 - 1942, where he received a BS Civil Engineering. He then attended Massachusetts of Technology (MIT) from 1945 - 1948 where he earned an MS Civil Engineering.
From 1942 - 1949 he worked first at the Glenn L. Martin Co. and then the Douglas Aircraft Company, before becoming Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at VPI (1949 - 1953). He then came to the University of Delaware in 1953, serving as Associate to Full Professor, which included: Chairman of Civil Engineering Department, Assistant Dean of Engineering (10 years), Faculty Advisor to Honor Society.
Tom's avocation is gardening. His current interests include involvement with the Senior Surfers Computer Club and the Finance Committee at First Presbyterian Church in Newark.
Tom has been a member of the Senior Surfers since December of 2016. He takes lab classes and is always in attendance at our Thursday afternoon programs.
From 1942 - 1949 he worked first at the Glenn L. Martin Co. and then the Douglas Aircraft Company, before becoming Assistant Professor in Civil Engineering at VPI (1949 - 1953). He then came to the University of Delaware in 1953, serving as Associate to Full Professor, which included: Chairman of Civil Engineering Department, Assistant Dean of Engineering (10 years), Faculty Advisor to Honor Society.
Tom's avocation is gardening. His current interests include involvement with the Senior Surfers Computer Club and the Finance Committee at First Presbyterian Church in Newark.
Tom has been a member of the Senior Surfers since December of 2016. He takes lab classes and is always in attendance at our Thursday afternoon programs.
John crowe
Story coming soon.
Tom ho
Story coming soon.
dick hugh
Story coming soon.
frank hughes
Story coming soon.
Grace owen
I was born at home on a farm near Williamsburg, VA in 1922. I graduated from Madison College (all girls), now JMU, in 1943 and came to Georgetown, DE for my first job as their business education teacher. It was wartime and most of the business teachers then were men and they were overseas in service The superintendent interviewed me over the phone and hired me because he was so glad to get a business teacher! I taught 31 years in Delaware high schools, most of it in Newark.
I met my husband-to-be on the first day of teachers meetings in 1943 and after 3 years of courtship we married, built a home in Georgetown, lived there 20 years with our three children and then moved to Newark in 1960. Jim Owen was principal of Georgetown High School when we moved, but went back to teaching as I did after I had stayed home nine years with our three children. We enjoyed many summers camping with our family all over the USA, including all 50 states.
I had learned to teach computers, the punched card system from IBM. So taking classes at NSC was natural for me when we moved next door to the senior center! I have been using my computer ever since!
Grace has been a member of the Senior Surfers Computer Club since 2000. Her smiling face can be seen at lab classes, in the audience of afternoon programs, and at other club events.
I met my husband-to-be on the first day of teachers meetings in 1943 and after 3 years of courtship we married, built a home in Georgetown, lived there 20 years with our three children and then moved to Newark in 1960. Jim Owen was principal of Georgetown High School when we moved, but went back to teaching as I did after I had stayed home nine years with our three children. We enjoyed many summers camping with our family all over the USA, including all 50 states.
I had learned to teach computers, the punched card system from IBM. So taking classes at NSC was natural for me when we moved next door to the senior center! I have been using my computer ever since!
Grace has been a member of the Senior Surfers Computer Club since 2000. Her smiling face can be seen at lab classes, in the audience of afternoon programs, and at other club events.
al pellegrini
Story Coming Soon
niki petro
Story Coming Soon
robert Turner
Robert was born in Evanston, Illinois. After he graduated from the University of Minnesota, he worked for duPont as a chemical engineer. While at duPont they brought in a Univac (first commercial computer produced in the United States), and chose Robert to learn the system and then to teach classes on using the Univac system.
Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1944 - 1946. He also has served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 25 years. His passion is sailing and he used his 33 foot sailboat traversing our Atlantic coastline for safety patrols. He also enjoyed teaching the art of sailing to other Coast Guard members.
He has lived in Delaware for 50 years.
Robert served in the U.S. Army from 1944 - 1946. He also has served in the Coast Guard Auxiliary for 25 years. His passion is sailing and he used his 33 foot sailboat traversing our Atlantic coastline for safety patrols. He also enjoyed teaching the art of sailing to other Coast Guard members.
He has lived in Delaware for 50 years.
