Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Walter and John Bronson:1953 to 2005

Father and son logged 52 years with the company
by John B.

After serving in the Pacific during World War II, Walt Bronson’s career started in 1953 at Lockheed Aircraft Service in Ontario, California. On the flight line, he serviced aircraft (including President Eisenhower’s “Columbine”), helped “catch” the Russians after Sputnik, lived in Brazil for six months, then settled for 16 years in Sunnyvale with the FBM program. A 1974 executive role supporting the Iranian Air Force ended with the Shah of Iran’s fall in January 1979. Iranian mobs stoned their airport evacuation bus; onboard the evacuation aircraft were employees, dependents, pets and whatever else fit. Iranian orders prohibiting take-off were ignored, Pan Am 2 started its engines and left. Afterwards, Walt’s wife Helen scrutinized images from Iran, looking for who was wearing the clothes she left behind. After working in Saudi Arabia, Walt retired from Lockheed in 1986. However, in 1992, shortly before he passed away, he was called to testify at the World Court regarding Lockheed-Iranian financial settlements. Despite poor health, Walt spoke articulately for his company, one last time.
In 1973, John Bronson began a very satisfying career at Lockheed and Lockheed Martin, Sunnyvale, as an accountant, management systems analyst and manager. In 1986, John helped startup LTOC/LMTO, where he worked until retirement in 2005.
Walt and John Bronson had, at that point, logged 52 years with the company. Over half of its lifetime! So many great stories, events and people. Thanks for the memories and best wishes to the future.