The Accidental Engineer: My Story

This book is my personal account of an American success story, about fulfilling the dreams of immigrant parents. This memoir describes growing up in a small northern town and touches on family experiences with World War II. Interspersed are anecdotes associated with reaching puberty, awkwardness of being a shy teenager, and dating tribulations. I wanted to be a research chemist and receive a degree from the Carnegie Institute of Technology. A life changing event occurred when by accident I became a summer engineering intern. The involvement opened a door to my becoming an engineer with a large electric utility. I describe my unique military experience as a medical research chemist. During my engineering career, I became exposed to a process computer in the sixties. Computer knowledge was instrumental to a series of career advancements. I describe progressing to a mid-level manager and eventually to an executive. I touch on my retirement activities. Finally a brief family history is included.