15th Anniversary of a Wonderful Day at the White House

 

On February 13th 2006 I saw President Bush give my father National Medal of Technology for his work on GPS.


Dad first conceived of what became GPS in 1964. As he said, 42 years is a long time to wait for recognition. He’d received other awards prior to this but none of them from the president. I’ve gone on several congressional tours of the White House but in these tours, you go through a few rooms at a relatively fast pace. Here we could see more rooms at our leisure. Here’s my first article about GPS which includes a picture by my wife after the ceremony.

My father was introduced to George Lucas as the real Star Wars.

Alas, the photographers were there primarily to take pictures of George Lucas. Inventing GPS or saving millions of lives through the Green Revolution (Norman Borlaug) were of little interest to them.

I have many other pictures but the originals are in some backup of a computer. Here are pictures of pictures so there’s some distortion.

My wife Kathleen with dad and Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez. The day was also special because it was the eighth anniversary of my meeting Kathleen for the first time.

Here’s the video they played at the banquet that night.

 

More later if there’s interest.

Published in Science & Technology
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  1. EJHill Podcaster
    EJHill
    @EJHill

    Richard Easton: Alas, the photographers were there primarily to take pictures of George Lucas.

    Alas, Lucas seized all the film and has re-edited the photos and re-released them so many times nobody knows what the original looks like anymore.

    • #1
  2. Samuel Block Support
    Samuel Block
    @SamuelBlock

    You got to meet Norman Borlaug?!? That’s cool. He might be the greatest man of the century – I can’t think of anybody who saved more lives. 

    But yeah, Star Wars man. People are really into that…

    • #2
  3. Rodin Member
    Rodin
    @Rodin

    How many people are known for inspiring the launching of so many “stars” that twinkle in the night sky? Great post.

    • #3
  4. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Richard Easton: On February 13th 2006 I saw President Bush give my father National Medal of Technology for his work on GPS.

    Awesome!

    • #4
  5. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Duplicate comment deleted.

    • #5
  6. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    These are fantastic – wow! What a legacy your dad created! Also, GWB was the last somewhat normal White House…….so much has changed.  Thank you for sharing this story and pictures – ps – your wife is lovely – hope you both have a Happy Valentine’s Day!

    • #6
  7. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Also this detailed information on this site would not be possible without your dad’s work:

    https://rsoe-edis.org/

     

    • #7
  8. Goldgeller Member
    Goldgeller
    @Goldgeller

    That’s pretty amazing! 

    • #8
  9. Michael Collins Member
    Michael Collins
    @MichaelCollins

    Congratulations!  

    • #9
  10. JamesSalerno Inactive
    JamesSalerno
    @JamesSalerno

    Very cool! I did some research into your dad after your LOC podcast appearance. I love discovering interest in things that I had no idea I would be interested in. We have some intriguing people here on Ricochet!

    • #10
  11. Douglas Pratt Coolidge
    Douglas Pratt
    @DouglasPratt

    Anyone on Ricochet who would like a review copy of Richard’s excellent book “GPS Declassified” narrated on Audible by your humble servant, drop me a note. Reviews help a lot, and I am glad to share the freebies.

    • #11
  12. jeannebodine, Verbose Bon Viva… Member
    jeannebodine, Verbose Bon Viva…
    @jeannebodine

    What a beautiful memory! Thanks for sharing.

    • #12
  13. Manny Coolidge
    Manny
    @Manny

    Now that made my evening.  Thanks for sharing that.  Engineering is what I do, and your father had a heck of an accomplishment.  Revolutionary!  May he rest in peace.  

    • #13
  14. crogg Inactive
    crogg
    @crogg

    Just, wow. Amazing!  Thank you for sharing.

    • #14
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