E-SYSTEMS/RAYTHEON RETIREES LUNCH GROUP

By Eileen Wahlstrom

November 24/December 29, 2021

Present: 13 November, 15 December

First Time: Kent McClurg, Bill Pettus, Bob Baron, Scott Schultz, Jerry WagnerLisa Buchanan (December)

Long Time: Terry Osteen (2 yrs); Phyllis Buckholz (4 yrs)

Guests: Brenda Prachyl (w/ Dottie)

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SICKNESS:

Phyllis Buckolz - reported that she has been undergoing lung cancer treatment for over a year and was recently assessed by her medical team as “cancer-free”. Her initial cancer diagnosis resulted from being discovered when the doctors were investigating something else. Phyllis had never smoked; neither had Buck when he was alive.

Julie Gilbert - Has be fighting lung cancer since last summer.

Deaths

Betty Keck

October 18, 1952 - November 7, 2021

Betty Mae Keck, 69, of Dallas, TX passed away on November 7, 2021. Betty was born on October 18, 1952 to Willie Ray and Catherine Mary Andrews in Bowie, TX. Betty went to school in Bowie for a little while before moving to Dallas for Jr. High and High School. She worked for Raytheon for 30 plus years before retiring in 2017. Betty married Ted Keck on September 4, 1970 in Nocona, TX and they spent a loving 33 years together before he passed away. She enjoyed planting her flowers in the garden, going antique shopping with her sister, feeding birds and watching the squirrels. Betty was a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Sister. Her parents, husband, son Brian Keck, siblings: Charles Ray Andrews, Robert Allen Andrews, Ruby Fay Ridenour and Linda Kay Patterson preceded her in death. Those left to cherish her memory are daughter Brittany Hammond and husband George; grandchildren: Kourtland Keck, Alyah Keck, Sophie Hammond and Chase Hammond; 3 great grandchildren; brother Don Andrews and wife Mary Pat, and Kenneth Andrews and wife Tresia; sister Joyce Harris and husband John; numerous extended family and friends who will miss her dearly.

Tom Reaves

Passed Away October 22, 2021

Thomas David Reaves of Garland Texas passed away Oct 22 of Covid. He was 77 years old. Tom worked in Garland PCU, and then Receiving before retiring.

A visitation was held at East Gate Funeral Home in Garland Tuesday Nov 2 at 10am and then Grave side service Monday Nov 8 at the National Cemetery.

Judy Rogers

May 22, 1943 - November 18, 2021

Judy Kay Rogers, age 78 of Garland, Texas, was born May 22, 1943 to Mable and Joe Thurman, and passed away Thursday, November 18, 2021 peacefully at her home in Garland, Texas. Judy retired from Raytheon after 28 years, and enjoyed spending all of her free time with her grandchildren.

Judy was very active in her home church of First Baptist Garland. She loved working within their outreach program, The Friendship House.

Preceding her in death is her husband of 53 years, Ronald Rogers; and her loving parents, Mable and Joe Thurman. She is survived by her sister, Jo Margrett Walters; brother, Lynn Thurman and wife, Shirley Thurman; daughter, Wendy Nitcholas; sons, Ronald "Kyle" Rogers, and Jody Rogers and wife, Jennifer Spence Rogers; grandchildren, Michael Nitcholas, David Nitcholas, Jason Nitcholas, and Tatum Rogers.

The funeral was held at 10:00AM Saturday, November 20th, 2021 at First Baptist Church of Garland Chapel. In lieu of flowers, Judy would like donations to be made to the Friendship House of First Baptist Garland.

Obituary: Click here

Glenda Jones

February 26, 1950 - September 30, 2021

Passed away back in September. Helen Hull reported this info which she received from Glenda’s sister Deanna. She worked in Communications.

“She was admitted to hospital here the end of February with pneumonia and heart attack. She was transported to Louisiana to be with her daughter but was mostly in the hospital or rehab until her death on 9/30/21.”

Obituary: Click here

Helen Greatorex

February 4, 1948 - December 23, 2021

Many of us who have been to Alice Springs know Tony Greatorex and his wife Helen. She passed away this December 23. For more information: Click here

Additional deceased - details unavailable:

• Gay Gambrell (Bobby’s daughter) – 5 Nov
• Pat Wooldridge – 15 Nov
• Jerry Kramer had three deaths in his family during the summer – none Covid related – his wife, their daughter, and their son.

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Announcements

Benefits Administrator Change

This info was posted on our Facebook group.

As part of continuing changes from the merger, RTX is changing the benefits administrator to Alight. This change will impact retirees as well as current employees. Current employees have already received information on the changes because their enrollment period starts soon. Retirees are supposed to start getting information in November. The retiree enrollment period will be Nov. 15-24. It appears likely that the insurance providers will be changing but they aren't releasing any details for retirees until November,

Alight has a benefits "Gateway" website that will be used for enrollment and benefits administration. The information coming in November is supposed to have details on setting up an account. I got a link to instructions for setting up an account from a current employee https://rtxhealthyyou.com/enrollment-2" . The instructions indicate to go to a www.yourtotalrewards.com/rtx and select "New user?". I decided to try it out. The "New user?" selection links to a couple of identifying questions and then steps you through the account setup. It recognized me (I'm a retiree) and I was able to set up my account. All I could do at this point was setup my profile and preferences. I also used an online chat feature to talk with a benefits representative and find out additional details about benefits changes and enrollment for retirees will not be available until early November. They had my old employee email address in my profile and I had to call Alight to get that corrected (800-243-8135).

It's my understanding that we should continue to use the current benefits website for the rest of 2021. Alight will handle 2022 benefits enrollment and will take over when the changes go into effect at the beginning of 2022

RTX is also moving the 401K administration from Fidelity to Alight. The 401K change to Alight will not impact you if you've rolled over your 401K to personal IRA(s). It's also my understanding that the Alight change will not impact retirees' Fidelity HSA accounts if you have one.

Darrell Lancaster proposed an idea to create a repository for retirees’ experiences and funny/interesting stories that later can be compiled into a collection and available for all to enjoy. We don’t want to lose these memories. Marv worked hard to create/activate a link for us to view these stories. After consulting with Raytheon External Communications a few guidelines were put in place including a password to access the stories. There are several there for your enjoyment already. Keep sending them in!

I’ll be turning in an order for magnetic name tags. Let me know if you want to order yours. One-line tags are $5.00- and two-line tags are $6.00. If anyone needs a name tag, please send your name (as you would like it on the name tag) to me, emmawahlstrom@aol.com or text it to me at 469-475-4884. A second line is optional if you want to include your service dates. If anyone needs a name tag, please send your name (as you would like it on the name tag) to me, Eileen
or text it to me at 469-475-4884. A second line is optional if you want to include your service dates.

Our next luncheon will be January 26th. Tell your fellow retirees!

I will resume collecting eye glasses for donation to the Lion’s Club.
Thank you all who have donated

Eileen Wahlstrom

  Submit your Garland ESY/Raytheon stories now!!