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News and Discussions => Nuke Community => Fallen: => Topic started by: dawnlee on Dec 17, 2004, 07:07

Title: Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Dec 17, 2004, 07:07
This is Dawn Feddern, Don Feddern's Daughter.  I just found this website and I was very surprised to see that he was listed as one of peoples favorite site coordinator.  I think he was one of the best ones Bartlett had.  It will be 10 years since his death and I was checking to see if there were still those that think of him and what stories you may have.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: maxparity on Dec 17, 2004, 08:26
Dawn,
       Met your Dad in 1994 in Monroe,Mi. at a Fermi outage. My wife had recently been dissed by another Bartlett coordinator who was a bonafide slang for the male appendage. Your Dad got her in on short notice at Fermi,and both of us became good friends with him. I was across the state at DC Cook, and was making the weekend trip to Monroe not just to see the wife, but also to hang out and party with your Dad and the technicians working there at Fermi.The lounge at the DAYS INN on Dixie Hwy. was the location of some of the greatest gatherings I've ever attended to this day. I thought he was a good man, fun to be around, and never heard anything but good from those who worked for him. It really was a surprise that it has been so long already that he has been gone. His remembrance still brings a smile...... Sincerely, Steve McGuire
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: Melissa White on Dec 17, 2004, 09:29
Hi Dawn,
  I met your dad in 1991 at my one and only Fermi outage.  What can I say?  I liked the man.  He was one of a few site coordinators that I had run across that sincerely toughed it out for the techs. When there was either an issue between techs, or between the house and the roadie, he always asked enough questions to get a complete picture.  Basically, if you were up front with him, he gave you the same courtesy.
  I did meet you briefly at one of Dons' get togethers at the apartment he kept in Monroe. He scolded another tech for trying to slip you a drink.  "Don't give her that!"  I believe was the quote. You were just about 18.  Trying to protect his little girl while still being an old die hard nukie.
  I was sorry to hear of his passing, and he is one of the great memories I have from my travels on the road.  I am sure many other folks feel the same.
 Best Regards,
Melissa

PS:  I hope you take this in the spirit in which it was intended (mostly with a smile)  I watched Don pour himself some Seagrams once, and I asked innocently if he was going to add some water to it.  He gave me an outraged look: "Do you know what fish do in water????They piss and they S*%#!!!" 
  He added ginger ale.   Still makes me laugh.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: halflifer on Dec 17, 2004, 09:38
Dawn,
I worked with Don several times during the '80s, from Oswego NY, to Decatur Al. and he is, to this day, one of my all time favorite people.  I could share many stories, but some of them contain subject matter that may not be suitable for all users (delicacy with other Techs wasn't what Don did).
In Feb of '87, I was leaving Brown's Ferry. My wifeatthetime threw a party for me (us?) Don showed up with a sympathy card for her and a get well card for me.
10yrs? It seems like eternity sometimes, but I don't think I'll ever stop missing him;;
Title: Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Dec 20, 2004, 10:19


 I am Don Feddern's Daughter, I recently found this website and saw that my dad was listed a few times as a favorite site coordinator.I too worked for him and would have to agree he was one of the best. I was looking for stories that any of you may have about him.  This marks 10 years of his death, this time of year is always the hardest for me. I just want to  make sure that some still remember him

Dawn Lee
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: Eric_Bartlett on Dec 20, 2004, 10:26


I have this posted also in the polls section.  I am Don Feddern's Daughter, I recently found this website and saw that my dad was listed a few times as a favorite site coordinator.  I was looking for stories that any of you may have about him.  This marks 10 years of his death. Just making sure that some still remember him

Dawn Lee

Hey Dawn, I remember your dad quite well, one of the most fun loving men I've ever met.  He was a joy and pleasure to work with.  Made the worst situation seem ok by taking a lighthearted approach.  He was a good man, and I for one miss him.  Take care, and may the memories of your dad help you to stay joyous, for he of all people could always find an excuse to laugh.

Eric Bartlett
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: SloGlo on Dec 20, 2004, 06:18
dawnlee,  i worked with don many times over the years and still find myself missing him quite abit.  he was good to work with, work for, and when our swords crossed, good to work against.  i remember many an evening sitting around discussing this 'n that.  occasionally (   ;)  )  i remember him becoming agitated in his responses.  but he never lost his sense of humor, no matter what the subject was.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: Duke Nuker on Dec 21, 2004, 11:33
Hi Dawn,
You know I worked with your dad quite a bit.  While we had our differences, we always seemed able to work them out quickly.  I enjoyed working with him those years. I hope that you are doing well and your Christmas will be a merry one.

Jeff White
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Dec 22, 2004, 12:01
Thanks Jeff!!!!!  How are things with you?   Have a Merry Christmas and a Safe New Year
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: imbucky on Dec 22, 2004, 12:18
Worked at Fermi for my first road job where I met Don. Drove over there from the cheese to walk into the Days Inn and felt right at home. Don and Linda introduced me to most of the Techs as Rick Clear was jumping off the furniture into the pool.
Don was having something on the rocks and tellin me not to pizz him off and we would get along fine. Really nice guy that people seemed to respect.
He told me to follow him to work the next day if I didn't know where the plant was, seems he might have overslept? 
Thanks for the memories.......
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: kobster on Dec 22, 2004, 12:43
Hey Dawn,  Think of your Dad often !!!!  The last outage he was atm Calvert Cliffs, he stayed at my house.  Every night he fed my puppy chicken, and nearly killed him.  He stunk to death!  I'd come home and say Govner (the dog), YOU STINK!!  Poor dog would walk down the hall, into my room and be standing in my bathtub, waiting for his daily bath.  Your father would laugh his head off!!
It took me awhile to figure it out, once I did, I left a few knots on your dad's head!!  We sure did have some fun!!! Wonder and very funny fellow!! 
Miss him to this day.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to your family,  Gibbsy
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: sir lawrence on Jan 10, 2005, 07:03
I worked with Don in the late 80's at Clinton station.  We had it pretty good with him around.  I don't think the company knew just how much beer and steaks they paid for on his expense account.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: jjordan on Jan 22, 2005, 02:07
Dawn and Bret,
It's good to see you are both doing well! Don was very proud of you both! It's hard to belive that 10 years has already passed, but I've been a house tech at Brunswick for 6 of them. Don was by far my favorite coordinator, and I tried to work with him whenever possible, even if the plant was substandard. We always had a blast, and we usually made a lasting impression on the utilities. I remember you both, and was wondering if either of you pusued a nuclear carreer? I also remember all of the names you mentioned on the other thread, I've lost touch with most of all of our extended nuclear family, but this site helps a few of us get back in touch with one and other. Most of the tech that wored with us stay up north and I'm in NC, so I only see a few that come to our outages.  Sloglo probably has a few tales to tell about your father, he posts a lot in here. Was wondering what ever became of "Billy Ho Ho Bowser",Jerry Thompson, Theresa Albright AKA Dawn Trafenstiendt [sp?] and a lot of the other Fermi Calvert, and Davis Besse techs! Anybody can IM me here, or send an email, it's listed on this site. I always love to hear from old friends! ;D
Keep In Touch,
John Jordan :-*
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: Stephenwolf on Jan 25, 2005, 08:11
Dawn
I too have grat memories of your Dad at Browns Ferry in 84.
I worked with him at the Drywell ISI. - Also with us then were two other HP Techs who have also fallen - Jerry Gaither and Mike Parrish. Great Memories and good times.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: halflifer on Jan 25, 2005, 09:59
Dawn
I too have grat memories of your Dad at Browns Ferry in 84.
I worked with him at the Drywell ISI. - Also with us then were two other HP Techs who have also fallen - Jerry Gaither and Mike Parrish. Great Memories and good times.

Let's not forget Greg "Puff-n-Stuff" Traffensadt(sic?). Don's in some great company, Dawn.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: Hoffmonster on Feb 01, 2005, 05:04
Don was the one guy you could count on to be there.  Where?  It didn't matter, he was always there when you needed him, big smile and all.  I Still think of him.  I guess that's a tribute to him and his life.  I worked with him at Fermi and hung out with him as a friend.  He took care of his people.  Rare in this business.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: jjordan on Feb 01, 2005, 08:39
I remember the first time I met Don. I was accepted to work at Davis Besse, but when I tried to confirm, the home office wouldn't let me. Seems I was on some kind of list :P Well I really wanted to work there that outage, and heard about the HP entrance test from Hell. (worse than NRRPT) I drove up to see what was going on. I took my little buddy Fred with me too. Seems he was accepted and was also worried about the test. When we got to Port Clinton, we found Don's room at the motel and went in. We were in the presence of greatness, 8) for there sitting on the couch was an industry legend, Mike L. (Pet Cow on Nukeworker) He had on his airbrushed trenchcoat, one sock, missmatched sneakers, black fingernails, and chainsaw earings! (or was it the dragons) Fred and I were impressed, but we came for a study session for the test, so we got our drinks and proceede to cram for about 8 hours with a lot of other techs in the same boat. Somebody in the group mentioned something about it being harder than the NRRPT, and it was! :-[ You couldn't guess. You had to fill in the blank or write an essay! :P Well our instructor said if you were NRRPT you didn't have to test! Well Fred was NRRPT and he was pissed. Don laughed his ass off! ;D That test was so hard I went back up the next week and did another training session, and then took the test on my own time, since they wouldn't let me commit. Well it took them about 3 or 4 days to grade it, since they were all written answers. I remember them handing mine to me and my heart sank, it was a sea of red ink! :'( Billy "HO HO " Bowser) said "No you did good!" The red ink was on the answers that were right! I passed the test, and Don called the office, and told them to send me a check, they said they couldn't. He said you don't understand, there was a 60% fail rate, I passed it and was standing there ready to work! "Send the check!" They did. He helped me staighten almost evrything out with the home office and that was the beginning of a long and satisfynig carreer and freindship! I often think of Don and all of the great times we had, I worked with him every chance I got, even if it was for less money, because I knew he would be there for me, and i can't even begin to put a price on all of the fun and memories I have! :)
JJ
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Feb 02, 2005, 11:37
I remember that guy Mike.  My brother and I were at that time  12 and 16, we couldnt believe that our dad was hanging out with someone who looked like that.  He was a great guy.

I remember a lot of those that worked the Fermi outages.  I was 17 and living with my dad and I was his clerk.  It was 91 and I just graduated from High School.  I remember making wings just about every weekend, there was a contest to see who could make the hottest wings.  Then they decide to see who could make the hottest chili.  This was the best time.  My dad and I got really close, he was a real hard ass when he had to be, but yet he was the biggest teddy bear. 

My dad once told me that people either like him or they don't and there was no in between.  He also told me that those that do him wrong, better hope they never need a favor from him, and those that were his friends could ask him for just about anything and he would do it.

My brother and I are really enjoying these stories, we are glad to see there are some that still remember him.  Please keep the stories coming.  I am printing these out so I can show my daughter when she is older. I want her to know how great her grandpa really was. 

I really wish he could be here and enjoy her.  They are a lot alike.  Someone once told me that she looked alot like him.  THis is when she was around two or three, (shes 9 now) she was short and round. haha.


Again thanks for the stories and please keep them coming.  Bret and I really enjoy them.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: SloGlo on Feb 03, 2005, 06:09
a story about don?  dang, it's hard to get them all sorted out,'n i only worked wit him a few times.  he was a man who liked to talk, alot.  sum peeple say the same bout me, but i'm reely quite quiet.  but wit don..... whew!  he wuz one who'd bring out the best in a conversation.  he might turn it on it's ear 'n give a wedgie, but it'd be a good time.  i remember so well the discussions we'd have about 1500.  great goobleymooblies!  peeple wood think we wuz serously mad at each other.  still makes me laff.
therer wuz a time when i wuz informed that i wood knot be staying at my motel room, but at the local constabulary's inn.  after i checked in, i called don to see if he might be able to get me out.  he showed up about an hour later, but wuz only 1/2 mile down the road.  seems it took him that long to find sumwon sober enuff to drive him over.  then he got to play plastic pinnocle with the custodians, as they didn't take american express.....  priceless. ;)
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: jjordan on Feb 04, 2005, 10:06
I remember that well Sloglo,
It seems that the price for you was way higher than our first offender! You musta been real quiet in there! Wonder what younze disscussed that pissed off Port Clintons finest? ;) Seems to me it cost Don $10,000.00 to get you back to work in the D rings! :P
JJ
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: SloGlo on Feb 07, 2005, 05:51
I remember that well Sloglo,
It seems that the price for you was way higher than our first offender! You musta been real quiet in there! Wonder what younze disscussed that pissed off Port Clintons finest? ;)Seems to me it cost Don $10,000.00 to get you back to work in the D rings! :P
JJ
yinz are gonna have donnalee mad at me, ya keep dis up, jjordan!  it wuz only a grand, 'n since eye showed up brighteyed 'n bushy tailed at da heering 'n paid the $102 it didn't even process on don's card.  eye kant recahl specifix ona udder problem child, (at leest knot in public ;)), but a legal beagle eye conversed wit over dis issue wuz hysterical wit laffter as it cost more to bail me out for partaking of legal intoxicants that it did fer da udder person, whuz specifix still elude me.
'n the upshot of the whole story related is that don was there for thems what needed him.  this industry will look a long time to find another like him.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Feb 09, 2005, 06:45
Sloglo, you are seriously cracking me up.  I kind of remember my dad talking about that story and his adventures and yours getting to and from the Jail.  I kindof remember those outages, I was 16 and my brother and I spent our spring break there.  I remember going to one of the bars and I was able to drink as long as my dad was the one to order and hand it to me.  He was letting me drink winecoolers and allowed me to drink as much as I wanted.  I also remember coming back to the hotel and hugging the toliet for dear life.  He laughed and ask me if I would do that again. He liked to make sure us kids learned our lessons.........Keep um coming, I was told you had a bunch of stories....What ever did happen to mike, the one with the tie die coat and colored fingernails?
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: jjordan on Feb 09, 2005, 09:50
dawnlee,
As far as I know, Mike is alive and well. I don't know if he still works in the industry. I haven't talke to him for a good long while. He went to work for ARC for a while, but don't know if he came back to Bartlett after they went belly up! I'll have to ask Eric. Most everyone knows him, he is a legend. He was posting on hear about a year or so ago under the name of "PetCow" He pissed everyone off, which was his specialty, he had about a -200 Karma. I think Mike finally gave him the boot because he isn't listed on here anymore. Fred and I used to take him to the Sandusky mall,  and show him of to all of the school kids! It was really funny, the moms would grab the kids by their arms and rush them away from us! Dawnlee do you remember all of the dart night at the bars, about half the site used to show up! Always had a blast with Don & the King of the Road! Ask Sloglo about the Super Bowl party at Cisco and Charlies when I won the pool. I started a Davis Besse tradition that night! :P If he doesn't remember (he's gettin kinda old) I'll tell you!
JJ
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Feb 10, 2005, 09:57
Cisco and Charlies I believe was the bar that I was at and that night hugging the toliet.  I remember that bar very well....I remember dart night, we also used to play at the Fermi outages at a place called Johnny Joes.  When I went to visit Doreen about 5 years ago that place was still there.  I threw my dad a surprise 50th there at Johnny Joes.  I have my dads old photo albums, Bret and I look at them every now and again. I hear Duane Arnold is coming up this spring/summer for an outage are you going?
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: SloGlo on Feb 10, 2005, 06:40
dawnlee, i'm hoping that you remember the basketball game at cisco & charlies?  it'd get waaay to serious a competition for me, at least after the first half dozen beers.  i dunno if mikey is still in the biz, he still floats in and out of here occasionally, i recogninze his inimitable style on some posts.  'n jjordan started so many besse traditions that i am unsure of which he's referring to, but eye'm leening twoward that oversize margarita glass with about a half-fifth ov booze in it.  king of the road got a bit glassy eyed after, what, the third?
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: billwall on May 04, 2005, 05:26
hey dawn, my first job as a road tech was with don.  He took me under his wing, and kept me working.  My favorite job with him was at Argonne National Lab just outside of Chicago.  Don used to cook almost every day, the stuff he would cook was fantastic (i still use his chilli recipe), but it was sooo hot that you had to have a towel to wipe away the sweat.  We had many many 5th (Absolute) nights after work.  He used to call me KID.  Almost every day, he would send me to the store for some boose and some butts.  I will always be thankful for all of the good times, and the fact that he helped to get me started in the industry.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Oct 28, 2005, 08:16
There has to be some more stories out there....COme on!!!!!
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Jan 07, 2006, 08:19
January 18th will be 11 years since you left us..There is not a day that goes by that Bret and I don't think of you. We miss you very much, there are still days I can't believe you are gone and I can no longer call you or hear your voice.
 I love you and miss you more and more everyday.....I know you are looking down on us, keeping us all safe...

Dawn Lee

Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: dose 4ding on Jan 17, 2006, 05:44
Dawn,

I worked for your dad in 91 at Davis-Besse and I can honestly say to date it was the best outage I've worked.  I had only been in the business for 4 years at the time but he was great to work for.  He took care of everyone, made the job fun, and was as easy going as they come.  Unfortunately, I only worked for him that one time but he made a lasting impression.  I just recently was talking with a few tech's a St. Lucie and all were in agreement that working for him was the best.  I wish you well and I know we all miss Don bnut none more than you.

Best Wishes

Mike Dinger
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: schlaps on Jan 20, 2006, 10:12
Dawn Lee,
I worked with your dad at Clinton, Peach Bottom and Fermi. Being from I.C. I was able to attend your dad's funeral. I have nothing but good things to say about him. He would always take your side. (Even if you were in the wrong. 8)). , but the tech came first. I remember at Clintons RF1 I was bummed because I couldn't get a three day weekend off to attend a Blue's fest in Davenport and he said screw 'em call in sick and write your hours down anyway. So I did.
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: alabamanuke on Mar 20, 2006, 02:07
You've got it wrong Bill - He called you "FLK" - Little and Kid were the last two :)  The best Don Quote I can imagine - No matter what the BS that was served on our plates he would get that big grin and say, "I just laugh."  Don was one of the last of the old schoolers and he will always be missed and remembered as a legend Dawn.

Bill, Any idea where Craig went?  And where the hell is Taco?

Jim

jim.bickerstaff@gmail.com


hey dawn, my first job as a road tech was with don.  He took me under his wing, and kept me working.  My favorite job with him was at Argonne National Lab just outside of Chicago.  Don used to cook almost every day, the stuff he would cook was fantastic (i still use his chilli recipe), but it was sooo hot that you had to have a towel to wipe away the sweat.  We had many many 5th (Absolute) nights after work.  He used to call me KID.  Almost every day, he would send me to the store for some boose and some butts.  I will always be thankful for all of the good times, and the fact that he helped to get me started in the industry.
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: alabamanuke on Mar 20, 2006, 02:19
There has to be some more stories out there....COme on!!!!!

Leaving the Ferry one morning headed to Decatur with Pollack for an early morning emergency meeting of the Nuclear Health Beverage Club, Don got stopped by a young Decatur cop as he crossed the bridge into Decatur.  Allegedly, the cop started lecturing Don on the hazzards of driving over the speed limit and your Dad responded, "Look son, I'll take the ticket or the lecture but I'm not taking both today."

~ Jim
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: alabamanuke on Mar 20, 2006, 02:23
And Bill should tremember the night Don wanted to catch one of those Argonne white deer we were baiting up to the doorstep.  We thought the FLK was going to try it, Taco was ready also (really ready)  Don was trying to get them to grab the poor animal by the horns.  Absolut and encouragement almost won out:))))
Title: Re: Stories about Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Oct 23, 2006, 11:09
Happy 64th Birthday Dad....10-21-06
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Jan 10, 2009, 10:48
I know there has to be more stories out there. 

14years have come and gone, this last year was one of the worst for me.  In June 2008 I lost my house due to the floods that hit Palo Iowa (where Duane Arnold is located) and more than anything I wanted my Dad there to tell me everything would be ok.

I want to thank everyone who called and sent letters, my husband and I greatly appreciated it.


 I know there are more stories out there......IF you don't want to post them here, please email them to me..

Thanks
Dawn and Bret Feddern

Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: doctorbill on Feb 22, 2009, 07:17
I recently retired from Fermi, and remember what a privilege it was to work with Don.  He made Fermi a much better place, and I still mourn his passing.
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: Radconpro on Jan 27, 2010, 12:28
A VERY good man....
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: SloGlo on Feb 08, 2014, 09:33
I still think of don every time eye go drinking in port clinton. watt a grate man with  laff yinze could here across a turbine deck.
Title: Re: Don Feddern
Post by: dawnlee on Dec 13, 2014, 02:34
Happy Holidays.  January 18th 2015 will mark 20 years that Don passed away.  Hard for me to believe sometimes that it has been that long.

Just thinking about it and thought I would post.

Have a great Holiday everyone


Love

DawnLee