Biographical Notes reRichard J. (Dick) Sniker |
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RETURN TO CIVIL PURSUITS “Climbing the Ladder” Prior to my enlistment in 1952 I had been employed as a machinist apprentice for the Milwaukee Railroad in St. Paul, Minnesota. Unwilling to return to that job I spent my last few months in service completing the necessary paper work for spring 1956 enrollment at the University of Minnesota. It had been six years since my graduation from high school and needless to say college was a significant transition from my recent experiences. After two or three quarters, and one or two course cancellations, the routine of study and exams began to fall in place. As a result the grades improved as well as my enthusiasm for the new experience. |
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Soon after my discharge from the Air Force I was introduced by mutual friends to Eleanor Peters a girl raised in neighboring Wisconsin and currently working in Minneapolis. A serious relationship developed in short order and we were married in September 1957. Evidently a good decision since we recently celebrated our forty -fourth wedding anniversary. Roughly four years after my military discharge, diploma in hand, I began what turned out to be a thirty-five year career with a national corporation headquartered in St. Paul. My initial responsibility was an entry-level sales/service slot and over the years responsibility progressed into production manager, general manager, and then president of one of the corporate subsidiaries. Along the way were the inevitable moves, first to Atlanta, Georgia, and then to Eden, North Carolina. Company acquisitions and mergers also entered into the work experience and my final responsibility was expanded to Vice-President of an Eastern region composed of five other acquired subsidiaries located near major eastern cities. Much of my time in the latter part of civilian work responsibility was spent traveling, and I became well acquainted with airports, motels, and what seemed to be, endless meetings. |
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Las Vegas, 1978 |
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| Editor’s Note: A news clipping from a January 1973 newspaper presents a comprehensive review of Dick’s process of growth and promotion in his chosen civilian career field. I have included a copy of that clipping to provide you an easy hop-over for its review and a quick return to this page. If you wish access to the clipping, please click here. | |||||||||
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Earlier in 1983, I happened to drive by our local municipal airport and thought "why not". I found a willing instructor and began the first of my many flying lessons. Within a few years I earned a private certificate, instrument rating and finally a commercial license. Ownership of a four-place Piper Archer soon followed and over the next ten years the aircraft was put to good use for business and recreational trips. |
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wing of his Piper Archer ca 1090 |
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End of Chapter 4 Click below to select a destination |
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