E-Systems & Raytheon Garland Retirees

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Announcements

Mark your calendars! The March meeting will be on the 27th, 11AM at Golden Corral at 1420 Eastgate Dr, Garland, TX 75041 . See you there. Be there or be square.


National Retiree Legislative Network (NRLN)

The mission of the National Retiree Legislative Network is to develop, identify and rally support for federal legislation that guarantees fair and equitable treatment of retirees and future retirees. They work to protect earned employer-sponsored pensions and benefit plans and Medicare and Social Security

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Retiree List

The updated retiree list is available on the website again

FSA Eligble Expenses List

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Submit your Stories and Photos NOW! (2020-04-02)

Click the "My Story" button below and submit your story our New Stories page.

  Submit your Garland ESY/Raytheon stories now!!


E-SYSTEMS/RAYTHEON RETIREES LUNCH GROUP

By Eileen Wahlstrom

February 28, 2024

Present: 28

First Time: Andy Martin, David Norris

Long Time: John Garrison

Guests: Pam Jones, Phyllis Mosley (Charlie


SICKNESS:

Mike Farris – From Raye Ann Farris : We won't see our Chemotherapy Oncologist until March 28th. So we're still basically in a holding pattern. Please keep your prayers and well wish coming. Mike and I are staying positive and keeping the faith. I'm truly not going to lie, I'm STRUGGLING. I'm trying to be strong for Mike and hold things together for him, but I could really use some extra prayers for strength. I believe Mike is holding up better than I am most days. I've always feared the unknown and that’s something I must work on.

UPDATE from Raye Ann: ?PET Scan Update: We didn't receive the news we had hoped for, but with that being said we did receive some good news.

Cancer they treated is gone. He has some new lymph nodes that have shown up since the PET scan we had in August. Some in his thyroid area, some in both sides of his jaws and some in his lungs. The PET Scan didn't indicate Cancer in his lungs, but they are full of gunck. He still has the pneumothorax (hole) in his left lung, that was discovered when he was in the hospital in July. We will be having a CT scan on his lung at the Cancer Center, that scan will he sent to his Pulmonologist. HE DOES have a cancer spot on his Scapula, which is bone so I'm terrified of that. We will be having a biopsy as soon as possible. We have a consultation appointment Monday February 19th with a Head and Neck Cancer Surgeon at Baylor Dallas to see what surgery is needed to correct his paralyzed left vocal chord, discuss when his trach might be removed and any additional clean up that might be needed. We would like to Thank you all for your kind words, thoughts and prayers. Please keep them coming. I will update as soon as I have more information." This morning Raye Anne told me that “He is doing good. We see the Oncologist for biopsy results and CT results tomorrow. As soon as I can I will update on Facebook. But he is in really good spirits.

Sylvia Vaughn – From Marilyn Wink : Sylvia declined the surgery to repair her aorta due to the risks. She is still on oxygen for the pneumonia. She would enjoy a phone call and I will try to get her phone number.” She had a video conference with her doctor on the 5th and will see the pulmonary doctor soon. She is slowly improving.

Update from Bertha Hall : Sylvia has moved to Downtown Baylor Hospital to rehab. She is doing much better


Deaths

Peter Dascanio

AUgust 2023

Peter Dascanio of West Palm Beach, Florida was called home on August 4, 2023.
He was born in Springfield on July 1, 1948, to the late Peter D. and Gloria (Taddei) Dascanio. He was predeceased by his wife Linda (O'Goley) Dascanio.
He leaves his brother Stephen Dascanio of Simsbury, CT, brother-in-law Richard Perry of West Springfield, two nieces, Karla Buoniconti and Rob Ducharme of Southwick, Krista Buoniconti and David Nevers of West Springfield, great-niece Kaitlyn Haseltine of Southwick. Peter was predeceased by his sister Donna (Dascanio) Perry and his mother-in-law Joan Lewis. He also leaves many loving friends and extended family. Peter was a graduate of West Springfield High School. In 1969 he joined the United States Marine Corps and proudly served his country until 1974. He was awarded the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm by the Vietnamese Military. He is a graduate of the FBI Citizens Academy; and received his associate degree from Northampton Commercial College; received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business from American International College and a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Salve Regina University. Peter was a long-time employee at Raytheon retiring as Director of Ethics and Compliance. Peter was an active member of the Catholic Church. He also enjoyed spending time with friends, family, and his beloved dogs. The funeral service will be held at the Veteran's Cemetery in Agawam, MA on Wednesday, November 29, 2023, at 3 pm. The Toomey-O'Brien Funeral Home is in charge. Donations may be made to Mass Veterans Memorial Cemetery Volunteer Firing Party attn. Allen 1390 Main St Agawam, MA 01001.

Obituary: Click here

Carla Conover

September 1961 – January 2024

Carla Kay Maldonado Conover, 62, of Greenville, Texas, passed away on January 31, 2024, in Medical City of Plano surrounded by her loving family and close friends. Funeral service will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, February 8, 2024, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home Chapel with Deacon Lee Davis officiating. Interment will be in Memoryland Memorial Park. Visitation will be 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Wednesday, February 7, 2024, at the funeral home.

Carla was born on September 21, 1961, in Greenville, Texas to Paul Maldonado, Sr., and Mary Ramirez Maldonado. She married Jason Conover on September 18, 2010 in Rockwall, Texas. For 35+ years she was a dedicated employee at Raytheon. Most importantly she was a loving and dedicated wife, mother, Nana and friend.

Carla is survived by her husband Jason Conover; daughter Shannon James-Bates and husband Michael; sons: Christopher James and wife Ashleigh, Stuart James and wife Brittany; brothers: Paul Maldonado Jr. and wife Teena, David Maldonado and wife Betty; in-laws: Steven and Andrea Conover; sister-in-law Allyson Lavinder; grandchildren: Kaden James, Makayla James, Ashton James, Rowan James, Lennon James, Ridleigh Bates and Camdyn Bates; and multiple nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents and sister Pamela Maldonado

Memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association and/or the ALS Association.

Obituary: Click here

Wiley Bunton

1939 - 2023

Wiley R, Bunton, 83, of San Angelo passed away on Friday, February 3, 2023 with his wife by his side.Celebration of life services will be 11:00 AM Saturday, February 11, 2023 at St. John's Episcopal Church in Sonora with Rev. Susan Burnham, pastor, officiating. Arrangements are under the direction of Robert Massie Funeral Home.

Mr. Bunton was born on July 5, 1939 in Del Rio to Samuel and Mildred Walker Bunton. Wiley graduated from Texas A & M University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1961 and a Master of Science degree in 1963. He worked for 21 years at the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, California on the Deep Space Program. Wiley was involved in the Lunar landing, Mars Landing, Voyager II. He also helped develop a lightweight synthetic material to aid in landing and takeoff on the Lunar Expedition. Today, that material is known as Mylar. After NASA Wiley worked for Raytheon Technologies for eight years before retiring. During his retirement he became a certified financial planner.

He married Esther Bird on August 28, 1978. He and Esther loved being at their ranch in Eldorado, sitting on the porch, watching sunsets, sunrises, livestock, and wildlife. Wiley enjoyed playing duplicate bridge, bird watching, collecting gems and minerals, enjoyed good food and fine wine, snow skied, and traveled.

He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Esther Bird Bunton.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to West Texas Rehab Hospice of San Angelo, 1933 University Ave., San Angelo, TX 76904 or your favorite charity.

Obituary: Click here


Johnny Gardner

From John David, Johnny Gardner's son:

"We have finalized arrangements for my dad, Johnny. Visitation will be at Williams Funeral Home in Garland from 1:30 to 2:30 on Tuesday, February 27 followed by funeral services at 2:30. If you have any pictures of you and Johnny you would like to share, please email them to me at vicepro@aol.com or via text at 713-876-7542"

No obituary found

Curtis Ritchie

1934 - 2024

From Mark Ritchie, his son:
I'm sorry to report that my Dad, Curtis Ritchie, passed away on February 14. He was VP and E-Fellow at E-Systems, which was pretty much the only place he ever worked.
Services will be held at Restland Wildwood Chapel at 2pm March 2nd, with visitation/viewing at 1pm

Curtis Allen Ritchie was born September 8, 1934 in Denton, Texas, to Clarence "Cack" Ritchie and Lillie Mae Ritchie. He died on February 14, 2024 in Dallas. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Elaine Freeman Ritchie, his sister Janis Thompson, his sons Mark Ritchie and wife Kim, and David Ritchie and wife Lisa Comparini, 9 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren. Curtis grew up in Urbandale, now part of Dallas. He and Sharon met at Woodrow Wilson High School, where he graduated in 1953. They married on November 25, 1955. The young couple then moved to Lubbock where he graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in Electrical Engineering. He later earned a Masters in EE and also an MBA at SMU. In the 1970's, Curtis was recognized by Texas Tech as a member of their Engineering Academy. His first job was with Chance Vought in Arlington. After a few years he was offered a job at the Vought plant in Garland which became LTV and then E-Systems, where he was a highly respected engineer working on radar and satellite systems and a host of other projects that gave him great pride. He rose to the rank of Vice President of Engineering and was recognized by E-Systems as the first E-Fellow. He retired in 1993. His greatest legacy would have to be his family and the love he and Sharon shared in their 68 wonderful years together. Curtis and Sharon raised their 2 children in East Dallas, and he loved taking his family fishing, camping, boating, skiing, Scouting, with vacations to Colorado, Washington DC, California, but mostly on driving trips around Texas. He also enjoyed his cousins and made time for his extended family constantly. The Ritchies retired to Granbury, where they lived for 25 years. Curtis loved nothing more than visiting with his 9 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren, who all called him "GrandPaw." Visitation: Saturday, March 2, 1pm at Restland's Wildwood Chapel, with funeral service at 2pm. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to Faith Presbyterian Hospice, faithpreshospice.org/support/.

Obituary: Click here

Greg Wooldridge

2024

From Brad Scott, February 16, 2024:

Wanted to ESY family know that Greg Wooldridge has passed away today at 2:00.  Greg worked in computer IT in Garland for over 25 years.  He always had a great attitude and was positive for a guy in his condition (quad).  He was an avid cowboy fan and loved his political views .  He would out-party most  people.  Had many good times with him going to concerts, casinos, horse track, golden gloves boxing and many more.  RIP Greg my best friend and party buddy

No obituary found.

Mary Sue Thornton

May 1938 – February 2023

Mary Sue Mary Sue Thornton passed away peacefully at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas on February 20th, 2024, at the age of 84. Visitation will be held from 1:00 to 2:00pm on Monday, March 4th, 2024, at Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home in Fairfield, Texas followed by the funeral service at 2:00pm. Interment at the Bonner Cemetery will be immediately following the service. Mary Sue was born on May 20th, 1939, in Muskogee, Oklahoma to Murrell Howard Thornton and Sarah Harris Thornton. Mary Sue grew up and went to school in Muskogee and spent summers and holidays at the family farm in Stewards Mill, Texas. She graduated as valedictorian from Central High School, Muskogee in 1957. She went on to attend the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, and graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1961.

Mary Sue was a member of the Presbyterian Church, Phi Theta Kappa, Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Beta Phi, Mortar Board, Pi Mu Epsilon, and the Cotillion Club. Mary Sue enjoyed a long and successful career as a computer programmer and software engineer at LTV/E-Systems/Raytheon, where she worked on highly classified programs. It was at LTV that Mary Sue met Ed Redwine, her future husband. Amongst many other projects, Mary Sue did programming for the NASA Apollo missions, and she and Ed were on the initial team that delivered & installed the first software/ firmware/hardware system at the Joint Defense Space Research Facility in Alice Springs, Australia in 1972. Mary Sue was listed in Who's Who in Computers and Data Processing Vol. 1 in 1971.

Mary Sue and Ed dated for 14 years and married in 1980 in the Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. They bought a historic home in the Highland Park neighborhood of Dallas and relocated there in 1990. They were married for 42 years, working together as software engineers, spending their time side by side, and collaborating on all facets of life. Mary Sue, along with Ed, was a member of the Raytheon Retirees Association, Southwest Cattle Raisers Association, Texas Farm Bureau, Trinity Star Arts Council, and the Sheriff's Association of Texas. Mary Sue and Ed enjoyed a variety of activities throughout the years, including tennis, square dancing at the C3B level and working on the C4 level (the black belt of square dancing), and the Sunday New York Times crossword puzzle. They maintained a Thursday night supper club tradition for 17 years at Aboca's restaurant. Mary Sue loved managing the family farm in Stewards Mill, walking the pastures with Ed, looking for lost cows, and mending fences. She maintained strong Bonner family and community ties, always attending the Bonner family reunions, the Bonner Cemetery annual meeting, the Stewards Mill Homecoming, the TSAC and farm bureau events in Fairfield, and, when schedule permitted, the Christmas program at the Stewards Mill church. She and Ed continued to maintain the family farmhouse in Stewards Mill where Mary Sue's grandparents lived.

Mary Sue was an original member of the Class Act Tap Company from its inception in August 1986. Class Act is a tap dance company for senior women, and it became a huge part of her life. She performed with Class Act and served as their director until February 2023. Mary Sue, as a dedicated volunteer director, managed to schedule over 3,300 performances entertaining at senior communities, veteran's celebrations, corporate events, and church functions. She tirelessly taught tap lessons to some of the ladies who had never danced before. She delighted in spreading joy to all the audiences, as she loved their smiles and the appreciation for having their spirits lifted. When Mary Sue missed a performance, which was rare, audiences would ask for her. In addition to Class Act, Mary Sue was also an avid performer for the Spectacular Follies for the past 12 years. At 4'9", she wore beautiful, very high heels and would chuckle with "Small people have small wrinkles!". She brought high energy and a keen sense of humor to all her dancing activities.

In the words of her friends, Mary Sue was one of a kind and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Mary Sue was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her aunt, Sue Bonner Thornton. She is survived by her nephew-in-law, Eric Wilbur Trammell; Eric's family (wife, Tays Oliveira Trammell; son, William Fonseca Trammell; and daughters Emily Fonseca Trammell and Anna Oliveira Trammell); and by various cousins including Bobby, Frank, and Jody Bonner. An online guest book is available at www.griffin-roughton.com Arrangements by Griffin-Roughton Funeral Home, Corsicana

Obituary: Click here

Announcements

Spirit AeroSystems Names Jane Chappell to Board of Directors

WICHITA, Kan. – Feb. 26, 2024 – Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] today announced that Jane P. Chappell will join the company’s Board of Directors, effective Feb. 26, 2024. She will serve on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Risk Committee. Chappell has more than four decades of experience, 17 years at the executive level, providing operational and strategic leadership in the defense industry.

“Jane Chappell is an established leader in the American defense and intelligence sectors; we are thrilled that she will serve on Spirit’s Board of Directors,” said Spirit AeroSystems Board Chair Robert D. Johnson. “Her leadership and depth of experience are unparalleled – she will undoubtedly add tremendous value as we grow across our defense and space programs. We look forward to her contributions.”

Chappell serves as CEO of Altamira Technologies, a national security company in the defense and intelligence sectors. She is on the Board of Advisors for Lone Star Analysis. Before Altamira, Chappell was with RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon) for 36 years. Her service at RTX Corporation culminated with her role as Vice President of GeoSpatial Intelligence Solutions from 2015 to 2019. She partnered with customers and industry teammates in this position to shape markets and drive growth in the intelligence, commercial, and international space ground business.

Chappell was named among Washington Exec’s Top Space Executives in 2023 and one of Washingtonian’s “Tech Titan in 2023.” She won the National Reconnaissance Office Director and National Reconnaissance Office Ground Enterprise Directorate Director’s Gold medal for outstanding contributions to the mission in 2020 and 2019. She earned the Raytheon CEO Leadership Award in 2008.

www.spiritaero.com

RTX's CHIMERA high-power microwave system excels during three-week field test

U.S. Air Force's transportable, standalone HPM system will play key role in layered defense

WHITE SANDS, N.M., Jan. 29, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Air Force Research Laboratory and Raytheon, an RTX (NYSE: RTX) business, have successfully completed a three-week field test of the CHIMERA high-power microwave (HPM) weapon at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico. During the test, CHIMERA applied directed energy to multiple static target variations and demonstrated end-to-end fire control by acquiring and tracking aerial targets and maintaining tracking for the entire flight path.

The Counter-Electronic High-Power Microwave Extended-Range Air Base Defense system, known as CHIMERA, was built to fire highly concentrated radio energy at multiple middle-to-long-range targets. The ground-based demonstration system wields more power than other HPM systems to defeat airborne threats at the speed of light.

"High-power microwave systems are cost-effective and reliable solutions that play an important role in layered defense by increasing magazine depth and giving warfighters more options to defeat adversaries quickly," said Colin Whelan, president of Advanced Technology at Raytheon. "The successful test of CHIMERA is a testament to the strong partnership between Raytheon and the AFRL, and our commitment to developing non-kinetic solutions that can counter increasingly sophisticated threats."

CHIMERA is part of the Directed Energy Front-line Electromagnetic Neutralization and Defeat (DEFEND) program, which is a joint service effort to design, build and test HPM systems for front-line deployment. Raytheon is partnering with experts at the AFRL, Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division and the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to complete this work.

"This is what the power of government and industry partners can achieve: critical technology that can be inserted in an integrated mission architecture alongside other directed energy tech and kinetics. It is imperative that AFRL, in partnership with industry and academia, continue to innovate and feed these architectures now and in the future," said Dr. Shery Welsh, director, Directed Energy Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory.

About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of offensive and defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, offensive and defensive cybersecurity tools, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics and missile defense across land, air, sea and space.

About RTX
RTX is the world's largest aerospace and defense company. With more than 185,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. Through industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon – we are advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and developing next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2023 sales of $68.9 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

Medical Claims

Medical Claims for reimbursement can be mailed to:
Alight Smart Choice Solutions
PO Box 64009
The Woodlands, TX
77387

At our January Luncheon it was brought up that if you have a SMART phone, using the SmartChoice app is the easiest way to process the medical reimbursement claims. It enables you to take a picture from your phone and submit directly from the app.

This info was posted on our Facebook group.

Alight has a benefits "Gateway" website that will be used for benefits administration. If you haven’t created an account yet go to www.alight.com to do so. Scroll all the way down to the bottom. Click on “Find Your HR Website” and type in RAYTHEON under “Who is your employer?”. This will pop up a link to www.yourtotalrewards.com/rtx and select "New user?". The "New user?" selection links to a couple of identifying questions and then steps you through the account setup. It recognized me and I was able to set up my account so I could create my profile and preferences. They had my old employee email address in my profile and I had to call Alight to get that corrected (800-243-8135). Be sure to check your beneficiary information. This was blank for me so I corrected that. Also, if you are married, your personal information probably transferred over as single. This would cause any medical reimbursement claims for your spouse to be denied. Call the benefits people so they can correct it

Alight will manage the medical reimbursement and we will be able to check our DDB balance, submit claims, authorize direct deposit, etc. online.

IF YOU NEED HELP SETTING UP YOUR ALIGHT ACCOUNT, REIMBURSEMENT CLAIMS, DIRECT DEPOSIT, ETC. PLEASE EMAIL ME AT emmawahlstrom@aol.com. TERRY GAUS HAS OFFERED TO HELP THE RETIREES WHO MAY HAVE QUESTIONS. I CAN ALSO HELP NAVIGATE THE SWAMP IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE.


Eileen continues to collect eye glasses and hearing aids for donation to the Lion’s Club. Thank you all who have donated.

Our next luncheon will be March 27th. Tell your fellow retirees! Bring a Guest!!!

Eileen Wahlstrom



 

Note: We are an independent group of Garland E-Systems/Raytheon retirees and not affiliated with the Raytheon Corporation in any way.


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