Who Taught you?

[Radwraith]

We've had threads about best and worst SC, Hottest babes and legendary techs, But; Who taught you to survive (And hopefully flourish!) in the business?  For me there are a few names that come to mind...

John Mates (Sage) and Bob Zelanca: Taught me the ins and outs of a business I would have never figured out for     myself

Jed Ball: Taught me the basics of job coverage ( And that there ain't nuttin to be skeered of! )

Frank Robinson: For picking up where Jed left off (The Arcane why it is so stuff!  )

and Finally Todd Roberts (Unknowingly!) For motivating me to go look at what the Procedure/Ansi standard/CFR actually says rather than just being beat up by it .

[Rad Gal]

Oh too many to name.  I got my start from my ex John Tinnin who I have to admit  taught well and was always there for advice.  Been to lots of plant and places and don't want to leave anyone out so thanks to everyone who taught me how to be a good HP.   I believe you can learn something from everyone in the biz ya just got want to.

[Atomic_Punk]

I had many "abusive Sr.s" during my Jr. time that helped mold me into what I am today, whatever that might be.  Buddy Burkett, Larry Brantley, Trent Lancelot, Bo Straub, Mike Dragosljvich, Jack Horne,
Barry Keele, Enky(sp?)Shelton, John McAvoy(sp?),Don Morgan, to name a few.  They actually tried to
teach you something and let ya do stuff rather that just send you in to do the shiftly or smear and clear
until your arms fell off.

[JnyMac]

Atomic_Punk I was right there with ya.  I was taught buy some of the guys on your list.  I also got it from Kris Hammond, Steve Reed, Ric Garcia, and Rick Doherty.  Love their teaching techniques.  Here put these papers on, put your respirator on, and get you butt on the platform.  I'll tell you when to come out or when you screw up.  We had some pretty good times.

[Atomic_Punk]

JnyMac, I worked with all your boys also.  All classics.  Garcia: "Did I change out the air samples?  Meeeee, Seeeenior, yooooouuuu, juuuuuuunior!  Get your @$$ in there and change them!"
Doherty:  "Stay out of my way, I'm on a roll!  I'll let ya know if I need anything!"

[Lady Nuke]

I would have to pay homage to Maha (rip), Pappy Engel (rip), Keith LeClair, Alan Daniell, Shawn Buckallew (Big Buck) and many, many more "old timers" for teaching me the do's and don'ts of this business.  Every one of them had something to pass along to new people coming along. 

[SloGlo]

this is a list that's gonna keep gettin modified as the memories warm up!  again!  willie wonka, clarkie, harold dodge, king of the road, rdtroja, larry addis, laffey, joe kosmal, rege greenfield (ain't sure about that surname,the green part is real, it's da rest of it that is blurry), frank corris, 'n fraaaannnnk too, barley_buddy, frank hamaker, joe worley, don feddern..... more to follow, i am sure.  all lessons were valuable, some were technical, others were business, some were good, others bad, but learning came from all.
dean patterson, eli croby jr, ed schnell...

[Smart People]

I have to give all respect to "Technician A". thanks for showing me what not to do.

[St Raphael]

After leaving health and education for 18 years and joining the nuclear world I have become a much happier person.  It is a field unto itself.  I love my job and everyday there is something new to learn or experience.  I have had many, many fine HP's share - mentor me and show me the ropes.  A great big thanks  :)to them all!  Many of the exceptional techs taught me: Quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives." -- Willa A. Foster

[Surveyors-mato]

RomE, 'nuff said.

[Doc_REM]

My list would have to start back in the late '70's...had a lot more brain cell's then!!!

Moongate, Billy M, George Anulockis(sp-), Tom Merdy,....the list could go on for every...If'n I only had a Brain to remmeber all those that took the time to teach me! And how do you thank them for what they did...hopefully you taught someone something in your time.......

[ShovelHeadRed]

............It was late 70's..Bob Davis, Duff Dyer..USS NIMITZ..............mid 80's.first and last house job.Larry Werner, Rick Gordie, Omer, Paul Harlos, Paul Perue,Alan Fike,what a crew!!!!!!!!....Duke Power was very good to me for a few years..Harvey Joe Price, Melvin Smith, Gerald Dansby....Gerald Parker was a good friend and mentor for years.......David Romaine and Dick Countz turned me on to DOE  in 95 and made me sware not to tell a sole about it......that lasted about 5 years and then it wasnt top secret any more.........John Ritzo turned me on to Master-Lee and then I could wear a couple different hard hats,,,,,,,But Uncle Sam taught me that if you work for IRM you better pay your taxes.ONTIME.......red

[workinman]

I too cut my teeth with the likes of Atomic Punk at PV.  Hats of Jim McDonnell, Frank Dinch, Tony Serrano and the rest of the crew for their mentoring! I'll even give credit to JnyMac!  But the one that stands out is the Honorable "Tom Roe".  A true friend and teacher!

[Atomic_Punk]

Ah, yes!  The Honorable Tommy Roe.  One the few human beings I've met in my life who was more sarcastic than myself.  And I mean that in a GOOD way!  One of the more intelligent ones I've met along the way.

[ramdog_1]

I got all I needed to know at handford.
then on the road Bob Drake tuned me up! thanks Bob. IE DUCK

[incrediblehulk]

For teaching me the bad (but fun) old ways; Joe Worley, Pete Krebs, Wayne Otto, "Wildman" Ray Perry, Maha(RIP)...

For teaching me the right ways; Don Reisinger, Rusty Robinson, Al Edson, Dave McDaniel...

I thank you all!

             SBH

[tonynuke]

I've been very lucky in my relatively short time in the biz to work with many people who are more than willing to steer me in the right direction, and also to work right beside me.  Not only in the actual work, but also in the politics and other junk that sometimes surrounds us.
Thanks to you all!

[alphadude]

Bill Haller, Charlie Thames, John Wright, Frank Mc Fadden (sometimes),

the dark side
MAHA, Kiman, Eli, DaNucci, Perry,


the mondo side
Vita Abar-naturrally
Nare Bare aka ms LD50 
Ballard

the back stab side
Patsky
Hines
Elkins

easy money side
LD50 - u da man!!

[darkmatter]

I've never stopped learning from others. (I try not to make the same mistakes i've seen and dulplicate the neato stuff I witnessed.)
I learned the basics from Nuke Subs in the Navy and once the blinders came off in the real world of Nukedom I've learned and passed on as much as I can to my fellow nukeworkers.......although the latest crop of Techs think my stories are made up....if they only knew what the industry was like pre-FFD.

My thanks to all of you who helped out fellow nukeworkers, pass it on.

[ageoldtech]

“Mad” Jack Fowler, Crawford Asbell, Terrell Simmons, Dale Chapman, Ricky Wise may he rest in peace, just to name a few.

[hutch]

well been an rct for 4 years at a DOD site... many old timers still around willing to help us young guys who really want to learn and not just sit the point (man thats the worst job on the water front) or do weeklies...
-lou for slapping me when i screw up and saving my as* and showing me how things really happen
-george for knowing when to walk away..and buying all the beer after work
-gary for never screwing up my time
-larry for showing me how to over do swipes (25 0n a PB hookup..come on)
-charle for showing me how NOT to do a gamma survey
-and all others who have contributed to me becoming the learned tech i am today i couldnt have done it without you...

[coshaun]

Mike Squires, Don Leonard, Mike O'Shaughnessy, Bubba Bear, Chuck Busey, Dan Webster, Alan Fike, Paul Perue, Omer Olgesby, and the list is long.... I miss the ol' Hatch days.... everyone except Dorsey.

[Chefmike]

You learned from Mike Squires?  Anyway the Hatch days of old will never be the same.  As for Dorsey, he was a good man in his own way.  He was tough on some and better on others.  Good technicians learn from their own mistakes and ask the right questions to the right people.

[nuke_girl]

who did i learn from..id have to say nukewoker!! lolol..yes its true..let me explain..

after attending college to be a HP tech..my husband died..so i stayed home with my children and raised them..i was unable to go on the road. When the children were raised..15 years later, some friends of mine referred me to this site, and to Bartlett.

Nukeworker has been there for me as i took endless practice tests..studied..watched silently..i learned and relearned this industry.. I now work for Bartlett..i began again in the industry as a deconner..learning more and more with every job i go to, and every tech i encouter teaches me something. Im booked for the next 3 months and anticipate next year to be working almost all year.

 Thanks to Nukeworker and thanks to Eric and thanks to everyone that in their own way , supported my dream without even knowing it..from the jokes that made me smile, to the person who wrote the quizzes..and the people who donated to keep this site open for techs like me ..who couldnt afford to at the time..I think this is the longest post ive ever written.Ya'll have a great day 

NukeGirl

[stormgoalie]

Jack Horne, Ken Larson, Ira Perkins, Steve Ruisi to name but a few of the people I have garnered a lot of insight from.  After 10 years in the business I have found that to stop listening and learning from others would be the biggest mistake one could ever make.

Cheers,

J. Rodgers
aka Stormgoalie

[highradsnake]

I was one of the lucky ones. I would be the nuke industry equivalent to the military's "mustangs", For those who don't know... that's an enlisted person who works their way up to commissioned officer. I started out as a laundry tech and now are a senior RP tech I am grateful to the Kewaunee house techs who showed me the ropes (you know who you are!) back in the day-(1989-1991) . I also had the counsel of all the Apollo, Pa. road techs who made it through the 70's with a few brain cells left!(ha,ha) My hat's off to all of "yinz" who showed me the "real deal" in the nuke biz  Most of all I want to thank my father(old rad tech himself) for his advice over the years. (I am "Michael" to his "Vito" if you know what I'm saying... Capish??)

[LaFeet]

I guess I am still relatively new to the outage cycle.  Many names have helped or haunted me from the past.   And I would like to think I am still  learning....

BTW  I still tell those who dont know me at Entergy plant, "I AM Ray Fuchek !"

[duke99301]

I got all I need to know from Bruce Moffit. when when we were at SRS.
and the steel mills he told me we make a mint at.

[UncaBuffalo]

In the Yard...Rick Caulfield!  With attitude examples by Troy Nelson & Merlin 'Mac' McAfee.

Down South (the knowledge AND the attitude)...John Inman.

Gave me the Keys-to-the-ROAD!  Karen Barcal.

Provided me enlightening examples on attitude &/or priorities (on-the-job OR in life)...June Gessner, Ray Watson, Ken Larson, Bob Thomas, Sue Jones, John Zeilstra, Tom Guyer, Connie Green, Lee Severtson, Dave Barrow, Steve & Amanda Holcomb, Nancy Marx, Hal Rowberry, Doug & Rita Dempsey, Mike Goetz, Rich & Lynn Cooper, Ray Thomsen, Wendell & Lynn Baker, Christine Eyre, Bob Erickson, Al Bowman, Mark Walden, Bill Orr, Jim Knight, Dave Truman, Don Schelb, Ron Keaton, Carl Hemphill, Larry & Winnie Williams, Dale Anderson...

Taught me that stories & entertainment are very important in getting thru the job (and life) - Steve Brush, The Traveling Rowberrys, Jimmie Etue, Cam Gibson, Dean Butler, Tom Romansky, Jack Conrad, 'Doc' Gallagher, Dave Garza, Mike Ledo, Matt Bourne, Randy Schultz, Mark Yoas, Brett Chenier, Mike Dhabolt, Arlan Otto, Don Shehane, Jimmy Youngstrom, Matt Wright...



AND thanks to those who keep re-teaching me that this stuff is FUN...like Mark Fry, Kathy Henry, Rick Parke, Mike Newgaard, Chris Tiemens, Rob Goodrich, Don Parker, Peggie Fagen...



modified for spelling

[Brett LaVigne]

When I was at Newport News Bruce Wiseman was the guy who took all of the theory that was shoved down my throat and put it into perspective.  He taught me the real deal of being a HP.  Sure would like to know what ever happened to him.

When I arrived at my first Nuke plant it was Dante Firman that helped me with the transition (not how to be a tech.).  He also showed me that a human being can drink his bodyweight and not even slur...never did catch on to that.

There have been many along the way that I will never forget and picked up a thing or two from. 

A few that have either taught me something to make me a better tech. or taught me to enjoy life a bit more along the way.  Andy Plas(one of the finest techs in the business, pure professional), Tom Roe, Tim Lawson, Mellissa Warner, Ray Statum, Mike Mayben, Larry Arnold (LA), Jeff Oliver, Phillip Key, Jeff Cook...The list could go on for a while...