John Lehan

Coast-to-coast ping pong has continued.

After 5 years back out in CA (in Silicon Valley), we are back in MD and I am back at NASA as of last fall (2019). Having mellowed (some), the government-way does not bother me so much as it did before I left.

The time in CA allowed me to do some new and cool stuff professionally and get back in touch with Jeff Ventrella (class of '78)! With the nest emptying, I was also able to pick up some old, rusty hobbies. (Anybody remember those ugly sweaters from art class.)

I am now working on a gravitational wave mission (LISA). Check it out if you're interested. I don't think I will be hanging on until it launches though (2034!) but I hope to help set them on a good course to success before I bow out.

With time has come perspective. I would say I was too caught up in my own teenage trauma to really appreciate high school while I was in it. Things were not great at home (I’ll leave it at that) and I sought escape. I have to say, though, I had some great friends both close and not as close. I thank you for that. Sorry I have not kept in better touch.

(Update: July 2020 - Surprisingly the old one holds up pretty well. I would just add: In retrospect the kids of Manchester were, in the main, a very nice bunch.)