Jonathan Uhrig

Hi everybody,

Having lived in Texas the past 7.5 years, it is time to move on. I've moved to Chicago and living in the River North section which is across the river from the Loop. I'm employed by United Airlines in their headquarters in the Willis formerly Sears Tower. Just an average single guy with way too much time on his hands having more fun than a person should be allowed to have. I'm "semi-retired" (since 1993) and enjoying life as you can tell from the photos. I have become an extremely adventurous world traveler. As a matter of fact, traveling is my only extravagance. Most of the year, I am out of the U.S. I don't own my own home, sold my car three years ago, everything I need is in walking distance. If I have to get there I rely on public transportation. I have no wife, no children and no debt. Traveling has been very fulfilling and educational. Better than going to a university. I also like good music, a good massage, glass of wine every now and then and like to get dressed up occassionally. I am also the Site Administrator of this website. I started it to rekindle old friendships and start new ones. Look forward to seeing everybody at the next reunion.


Quotes:

"A good book should be like a woman's skirt, long enough to cover the subject but short enough to make it interesting."

"Live every day as if it's your last."

Really cherished what my Dad used to say when you asked how he was doing. He would respond, "I'm fine as frog's hair and twice as curly, sharp as a tack and twice as flatheaded, and my teeth are like stars, they come out at night".

"We don't stop playing because we get old, we get old because we stop playing."

"Time flies like an arrow, fruit flies like a banana."

"It's not the cough that carries you off, it's the coffin they carry you off in."

"The biggest troublemaker you're ever probably gonna have to deal with is watching you from the mirror in the morning."

"Always drink upstream from the herd."


"Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God."

"Snowflakes are fragile but see what happens when they stick together."



"The Earth's atmosphere is made up of 10% Oxygen and 90% Stupidity." -Frank Zappa



Presently I am a Flight Dispatcher/ATC Coordinator with United Airlines in Chicago, IL I work in flight operations which is like "mission control for the airlines."
The path for my career started at the Reading Airport. I used to sell tickets, do security (pre 911), load the planes, and even deiced them in the winter time. Before moving to Texas, I worked for now defunct Allegheny Airlines d/b/a US Airways Express at Harrisburg Airport. In 2004, Allegheny folded (some people say it was all my free travel that put them out of business) moved to Texas first with Express Jet Airlines than Continental. As of 4/12, Continental has merged with United Airlines. A dispatcher is dually responsible (with the pilot), for the safe, economical and efficient operation of every flight. What I do is sit in front of a computer terminal and plan fuel loads, interpret weather to make sure I'm not sending any flights into thunderstorms, turbulence, etc. I am responsible for tracking every flight on my shift (about 50). We can track the plane's altitude, speed, where it is in the progress of the flight. I started out in domestic dispatch. About a year ago, I branched out into the international realm and now dispatch flights all over the world. I will post pictures soon so you can get better insight. And please, if you are ever in the Chicago area, contact me at 832-266-9384. hiflyer63@aol.com. I'll be your personal tour guide.

Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA
1981-1985
B.S. Bus. Administration.

U.S. Navy
1986-1993
School of Hard Knocks

Assigned to: Recruit Training Command
Orlando, FL April-June 1986

Naval Technical Training Center
Storekeeper "A" School
Meridian, MS June -Aug 1986

Naval Guided Missile School
Va Beach, Va
Sept 1986-March 1989

USS Ranger CV-61
San Diego, CA
March 1989-July 1991

USS Constellation CV-64
Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
Philadelphia, PA
July 1991-February 1993


Desert Storm Vet, Awarded the Navy Unit Commendation, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with a Bronze Star, Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) and Kuwait Liberation Medal (Emirate of Kuwait). Also, achieved Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist Designation.

Reading Area Community College,
Reading, PA
1993-1995
A.A.S. Travel and Tourism

Sheffield School of Aeronautics,
Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Jan.-Feb. 1997
FAA Airmen Certificate

I would quit my job, rent or buy an RV and travel all over the U.S. in all the little towns on all the U.S. highways. The Interstates are boring. I would also like to see as many state and national parks as I could. I might even just drop in on some surprised fellow HN classmates. Also, go international and visit new places and revisit places I've already enjoyed. It would be the vacation to end all vacations. Also would like to own a local dirt racing team, maybe a sportsman modified to start then slowly gain experience eventually moving up to modified.

I used to like all those dances they had in the gym. It was a great time to get together with friends.
Also, used to like the hype on Central Week, the pep rallies, etc. and all the activities leading up to the Big Game.
My least favorite memory was having IPS 8th period freshman year. I was not into doing experiments that late in the day. I wanted to go home! UGH!!

New Zealand-the people are very friendly and down to earth and a beautiful landscape with lush hillsides and cascading waterfalls.

I didn't meet him but on one of my many plane flights coming back to Texas from Reading, I was sitting across the aisle from Harry Kalas, the voice of the Phillies and Campbell's Chunky Soups. I was expecting him to say, "We're Outta Heeeeere!!" when the plane pushed back.

Bill Bergey Philadelphia Eagles linebacker 1974 at Boscov's North. He was signing autographs. I still have it floating around somewhere.

I didn't meet him but back in 1975, I was at the Eric Theatre in on the 5th St. Highway and saw Muhammad Ali. He had his back to me. He was taking a break I suppose from his training up in Deer Lake.

Amber Rupinta former NBC 10 Philadelphia News Reporter. See photo in my profile dated Jan 19, 2003.

Sam Leach, the Beatles first manager, see photos dated August 2008.

The members of Yes after their concert in Houston. See photo dated Feb 24, 2010.

I started pursuing a career in accounting. I graduated college and got a job in a small accounting firm in Reading. I certainly thought I would be married by age 35 with a wife, two car garage and my 2.5 kids. If someone told me back then I would see half the stuff I've seen on my travels, I would think they were crazy. Also, I never thought I would be working for the airlines in the operational end and not the business end.

Anybody from the class who is now on Facebook.
also, Lori (Lis) Bosshard, Debbie (Smith) Ioannidi

Yes. From 1994-2004, I co-hosted a low budget travel show on Berks Community Television. It was called, "RACC Presents Travel and Tourism" with fellow alum Lucie Torchia-Thompson, Class of '73. Although I wasn't paid, it was fun to sit in front of the camera and talk about different destinations and answer the interesting questions the viewers called in about. The show was sooo "Wayne's World," and was held at the BCTV studios on Penn St. Everytime a train went by you could hear it through the wall.

"All in the Family", C-Span's "Washington Journal" (yes I am a political junkie), "Airline", ( I'm an airline employee go figure), "Emergency"



"The Producers", "The Jerk", "Best in Show", "Stripes", "The Blues Brothers", "Caddyshack"

Mr. Zuber. He was really down to earth and could tell a good joke now and then, but Miss Stoisits was the best looking.

Working for Morris Maintenance, a cleaning company in Reading. Used to do route work. One memorable job I was on was cleaning all the lint out of the rafters of a hosiery mill. It was at the Great American Knitting Mill in Bally, PA. In the manufacturing process, all the lint from the yarn would adhere to the ceiling, ducting, etc. I used to have to get up on this scaffolding, with a vacuum cleaner, and clean all the lint off while the plant was shut down in the summertime.

A 1987 Chevy Cavalier RS (Rally Sport) purchased from Bay Chevrolet Corporation, Norfolk, VA for $10,200

I never need directions. Anytime I'm on a roadtrip I can always manage to find my way around. I still don't use GPS.

Yes "Fro Bro" and that hated "Bugs."

Yes. On vacation in Lismore, Australia I got the nerve to get up and sing Space Oddity by David Bowie.

Yes Join the military. lol

I would like to have X-ray vision.

Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. Used to like 5th Avenue before they removed the almonds.

Absolutely. The more the better.

No. Although a friend once suggested I look like Emeril Lagasse, the chef. I don't see it myself.

I have 4 dream jobs:

1. Dirt Modified Stock Car Driver
2. Conductor of a major orchestra
3. Host of a travel show on the Travel Channel
4. Principal of an all girls Catholic High School

Either one of two things:

"The world was his playground." or "Here lies Jonathan, he finally found a piece of property he could say he owns outright."