Denver, Colorado - Air Force Accounting and Finance Center

In October 1971, we departed California for Denver, Colorado, heading to my new assignment. Upon arrival, we managed to rent a house near my workplace. I would be working in the city of Denver, not at Lowry AFB. The Air Force Accounting and Finance Center was located at 3800 York Street, Denver, in a complex that looked more like a warehouse district than a military base. It consisted of two large warehouse-style buildings: one for the Air Force Accounting and Finance Center, and one for the Air Force Reserve Personnel Center, plus two smaller headquarters buildings, one for each organization.

I was assigned as a systems programmer for the Air Force accounting and finance system software. The center was responsible for paying all USAF active, retired, and reserve personnel, as well as maintaining their pay records. It was a challenging and demanding job, but I truly enjoyed it.

This was a great duty assignment. Most of the people we worked with were civilian employees, very friendly and professional. Our job was to maintain and modify the existing software when needed and analyze new data requests. We worked regular 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. hours, though we were occasionally on call in case of emergencies. It was what I considered a choice assignment for me and my family. In the winters, we could enjoy skiing and snow tubing, and in the summers we went camping. I also had access to excellent trout fishing and elk and deer hunting. Being only 200 miles from Scottsbluff made it easier to visit my mom and siblings, which meant a lot to me. Madeline stayed busy, as usual, enrolling the children in school and unpacking essentials. With Mark and Lisa both in school, she finally had more time to relax. I was later informed that a house at Lowry AFB would become available in about a month, so we began planning to move on base. In December 1971, we moved into a spacious three-bedroom house on base. Having the commissary, base exchange, and medical services nearby was a real convenience. The children attended school on base and had access to a wide range of activities.

In December 29, 1971, I receieved the the worst new that i could get: my dear mother had passed away. I was devastated, but I had to continue with my duties. I took a few days off to attend the funeral and support my family, but I returned to work as soon as possible. My mother’s passing was a significant loss for me, but I found solace in my work and the support of my family and friends in Denver.

In Denver, we met Gene and Margaret Evans and Bill and Arleen Monroe. The Evans family became lifelong friends; my daughter Lisa still keeps in touch with some of their children. Bill and Arleen gave us our first dog, GiGi, as a Christmas gift. She was a wonderful addition to our family and stayed with us for 15 years. We eventually lost touch with the Monroes when we transferred to Colorado Springs and they moved back East. I also reconnected with my cousin “Sonny” Manuel Castillo, who lived across town in Denver. We’d get together often for barbecues, dinners, or nights out dancing.

In July 1972, we received word that the Air Force Accounting Center would be integrated with the Army Accounting Center and relocated, first to Lowry AFB and eventually to Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the Air Force software personnel would move with the organization, but others, including myself, were transferred to the Reserve Personnel Center, conveniently located across the street. By then, I was approaching 17 years of active duty and starting to think seriously about where I wanted to retire. Denver seemed ideal, plenty of job opportunities and close to my relatives, so Madeline and I decided this might be my final assignment.

We began house-hunting and eventually found a new development in Aurora, Colorado, a suburb of Denver. We bought a three-bedroom home with a basement, which I finished in my spare time. We had wonderful neighbors, Gene and Margaret Evans lived on the same street, and the Monroe’s lived nearby. We often hosted barbecues and parties at our house, celebrating holidays or simply any reason to gather. Whenever we got snowed in, Madeline would save the day by cooking her delicious homemade tortillas, beans, rice, and red chile with elk or deer meat. We made many great memories in Denver.

At the Reserve Personnel Center, the analysts and programmers were tasked with upgrading the old RCA computer system. After two years of hard work, we successfully developed and tested the new IBM 360/195. In June 1974, the system was turned over to operations, meaning we had essentially worked ourselves out of a job. I wanted to stay in Colorado, so I contacted the Air Force Personnel Center about another assignment. They offered me a position in Hawaii, which I gladly accepted. We began preparing for the move, our children went to live with their grandparents in California, and Madeline and I started making arrangements for Hickam AFB. However, the Air Force later decided that position was no longer needed. Goodbye, Hawaii. The assignments officer then offered several other options, but none appealed to me, until he mentioned an opening in Colorado Springs, at HQ NORAD. The role required experience in operating systems and real-time system programming, both of which matched my background. I accepted immediately. In September 1974, I reported to Detachment 1, 1151 USAF Special Activities Squadron, in Colorado Springs, Colorado (NORAD), ready for the next chapter in my Air Force journey.

Colorado Springs CO (NORAD)

In September 1974, I arrived in Colorado Springs, CO, for my final Air Force assignment. I had been promoted to Master Sergeant and was committed to two more years of active duty. This would be my last assignment prior to retirement. We rented a house until we could purchase our next home. We found a 3-bedroom house in the southern part of Colorado Springs and I reported to Det 1, 1151 USAF Special Activities Squadron (NORAD).

I was assigned as an analyst/programmer on the Air Defense Command and Control Software System (real-time). My immediate supervisor was a Warrant Officer who had participated in the original design and implementation of the system; needless to say, he knew his stuff. I joined the Air Surveillance software team, whose system displayed all radar track information reported in North America, as well as worldwide missile launches and behavior. The display appeared on control consoles or large wall screens. Six months later, I was assigned to maintain and update the Missile Warning Subsystem software. Our system provided initial missile launch data, tracking (orbital or sub-orbital), and—if sub-orbital—predicted impact point information. I worked on this system until my retirement date, November 1, 1976.

As usual, Madeline stayed busy, enrolling the children in school and unpacking essentials. With all the children now in school, she hurried to get them ready each morning, I don’t know how she managed it in 30 to 45 minutes. Once they were at school, she had a few minutes to relax.

In early 1976, Madeline and I decided this would be the ideal place to retire. The nearby commissary, base exchange, and medical services at Peterson AFB, Fort Carson, and the Air Force Academy were a real convenience. The children also had access to on-base activities if needed.

Mark had started playing baseball and football at Lowery AFB and continued in local leagues until junior high, when he began school sports. The girls started softball, though getting them to practice was a challenge. Madeline took the girls to softball, while I took Mark to baseball. Julie and Yvonne were outstanding softball players; Lisa played because her sisters did. Julie was also a talented high school volleyball player until she hurt her knee, which ended her volleyball career.

Colorado Springs CO

On November 1, 1976, I officially retired from the U.S. Air Force and began my civilian career. My first job was as a software consultant for the U.S. Army at the Denver Federal Center. It was well-paying, but I had to commute 65 miles one way. Joining a carpool helped, though winter travel was challenging, sometimes we were snowed in and had to stay overnight. We kept overnight bags and extra weather gear in the car. When stranded in Denver, I stayed at my cousin Sonny’s house. I only endured this commute for one year before job-hunting for a more convenient and challenging position.

Madeline had started working at Safeway Grocery Store, and we decided to buy a larger house as the children became young adults. We purchased a new home near the Black Forest area of Colorado Springs. The builder offered interior design options, and Madeline ensured construction matched her vision, I think every carpenter received her supervision. We moved into the new house in late September 1977. I also found a job only ¾ of a mile away, while Madeline started work at a nearby Safeway. Yvonne, Lisa, and Mark began at their new school; Julie attended the Colorado School of Mines in Boulder, CO.

I started at CIBAR Software Consulting in Colorado Springs, a company of 8 employees: 2 secretaries, 6 software engineers, and 2 owners. Our contract was to design, install, and implement banking systems for CITIBANK New York, including training their personnel. We installed systems for main branches in New York, Puerto Rico, Chile, and Germany. I worked with the Puerto Rico and New York branches, requiring extensive travel. Madeline didn’t mind too much, as she could join me if trips lasted over two weeks. She spent time in New York and Puerto Rico.

We later decided to move back to California so Madeline could be near her family. I began job-hunting and listed the house for sale. After receiving an offer, I flew out for an interview at JPL. The role was as a software engineer on the Deep Space Network’s Command Subsystem, which sent commands to spacecraft and verified command execution. I saw this as a wonderful opportunity to continue working on real-time systems. The pay and benefits were excellent, so I accepted.