Where are these guys?

[JumpUpMyAss 0]

Anyone know what happened to Bob Woeste, Dan Hall or Ralph Hartman? They ran the GCSPC in Decatur, Texas in 1975?

[AirCav 0]

Woeste is a controller at Atlanta ARTCC, Hartman is living on a farm in Ohio. Don't know Hall

GW685,D3888,C5052,SCS843

[JumpUpMyAss 0]

Thanks for the info - I came across their names in my logbook and wondered about them. I remember Bob took his job fairly seriously running the DZ ( normal for today but a rarity in the 70's) and Ralph impressed me as an experienced jumper willing to jump with anyone -anytime. You know how it was back then - students had to start at the bottom of the food chain and work their way up hopefully to be eventually accepted by the 'real skydivers'. You were lucky if someone took a little interest in you and showed you some stuff. Otherwise you were left to your own.
I remember my first cutaway was a 'rite of passage'? The old outlaws had me so brainwashed that I was actually happy when my first square jump on a Sled functioned and I cutaway to a chest mounted 26' Navy in a Super Pro rig. John Harris came up to me afterwards, stuck a beer in my hand and said 'you're a skydiver now'.
Sounds corny 30 years later but looking back it wasn't a bad system really and much different than today.
Seems like there's a license and a rating for everything now. Back then it was simple: if you had a C License (and were the least drunk) you were a Jump Master. If you had a D License -you were a mini-god and could do anything to/with anyone/anywhere/anytime. Gold Wings? - you were a GOD.
You progressed up the chain by 'events'. First PC jump, first spot, first cutaway, first square, first demo, first anything. In doing so you gained experience and the acceptance from the others jumpers. I guess thats the bond we all felt that may missing at today's DZ's.
There were a few years there where jumping was all I had - and all I wanted to do. Eat, drink, jump, chase pussy.
I don't know if it's missing really but it's different.
So I was determined to get off student status -no matter what it took. If only to get away from the old chest mounted reserve with no pilot chute. I never did warm up to the idea of 'pulling and punching'.

Just some thoughts.

[usedtajump 1]

Wow, John Harris, a name I haven't thought of in 22 years.

The older I get the less I care who I piss off.