Document 6442012

TSRA NEWSLETTER
Publication of the Textron Systems Retirees Association
Vol. 5 No. 2
www.tsretirees.org
May 2005
TSRA SPRING LUNCHEON A BIG SUCCESS!
DR. ARTHUR KANTROWITZ
HONORED AT TSRA LUNCHEON
Photo by Leo Roy
Dr. Gay Lin introduces honored guest Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz.
Dr. Gay Lin, who traveled from California to
see and honor his former professor and coworker, introduced Dr. Kantrowitz to the
audience. He spoke of Arthur’s academic
background, the founding of Avco Everett, and
recalled fondly their work together during the
early years of AERL.
Photo by Leo Roy
Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz addresses TSRA members and guests.
Over 270 members and guests—the most ever
for this event—attended TSRA’s 5th Annual
Spring Luncheon on May 19. They came to see
former co-workers, to hear Susan Tardanico,
Textron VP of Communications speak, and to
have a good lunch.
But most of all, they came to honor two very
special guests, the late Dr. Harry Petschek and
Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz. Dr. Petschek, who
passed away on March 29th, was represented by
his wife Mary, son Philip, and Mary’s daughter
Harriet Severino. Dr. Kantrowitz attended with
his wife Lee Stuart and his daughter Lore
Kantrowitz.
Photo by Leo Roy
Susan Tardanico, Vice President of Communications for Textron
Corporate, was the keynote speaker at the spring luncheon.
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
After Dr. Lin’s introduction, Dr. Kantrowitz
ascended to the stage, acknowledged the heartfelt round of applause, and spoke warmly to the
audience for almost 20 minutes. He described
the founding of AERL, its early projects, one of
his personal frustrations, and several of AERL’s
successes.
The program continued with Selena Evans,
President of TSRA introducing TSRA’s
Officers, the current members of its Board of
Directors, and its six “Founding Fathers.”
Hank McCard, one of those Founding Fathers
and first President of TSRA, was honored. On
behalf of the Board of Directors, Bill
Fitzgerald, another Founding Father, presented
Hank with an inscribed Excalibur letter opener
and a scroll expressing the Board’s appreciation
for his vision and leadership. Hank’s vision
helped bring TSRA into being, and he served as
President for the first five years of its existence.
Hank has now moved on, from the Presidency to
the Board Advisory Group—a group composed
of former TSRA Directors—and also literally,
from Massachusetts to Maine, where he will
continue to enjoy his retirement.
units, from Avco Financial Services, to E-Z-Go
Golf Carts to Bell Helicopter to Textron
Systems. She made it clear that with the great
number of exciting new products in the pipeline
at all the Textron business units, the future of the
Corporation is bright.
Photo by Leo Roy
Mary Petschek and Arthur Kantrowitz share conversation.
50th Anniversary Celebration
of AERL/Avco Specialty Materials/Avco RAD
consolidated today as Textron Systems
September 23, 2005
at Textron Systems in Wilmington, MA
More information will be provided as it
becomes available.
Photo by Leo Roy
Bill Fitzgerald reads the scroll honoring TSRA founder and past
president Hank McCard.
Susan Tardanico, Textron Vice President of
Communications was the luncheon’s keynote
speaker. Susan reminisced in a most personable
manner about her years at Avco Specialty
Materials. She went on to describe all the
exciting products, past and future, which have
been developed by various Textron business
Photo by Leo Roy
Mrs. Arthur Kantrowitz (Lee Stuart) and Arthur’s daughter Lore
accompanied Arthur to the luncheon.
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
Textron Benefits Outsourced
The outsourcing of benefits to the
Textron Benefits center administered by Fidelity is
now complete. All benefits are included in this
outsourcing, including pension, medical, dental,
life insurance and 401K plans.
All questions on benefits should now be
addressed to Fidelity. Fidelity should also be
notified of all deaths. The telephone number for
Fidelity is: 1-866-698-9847
Photo by Leo Roy
Dr. and Mrs. Gay Lin
Photo by Leo Roy
Ron Probstein and Margaret Keck at theTSRA luncheon.
Photo by Leo Roy
Philip Petschek and Harriet Severino, Dr. Harry Petschek’s son and
step-daughter.
50-Year History Project
The project to compile a History of Avco/Textron
Systems from its inception in 1955 through fifty
years to 2005 has been completed and is now
being printed in booklet form. TSRA plans to
distribute these booklets to all members sometime
during the summer. Many thanks to those who
provided input and support to this project, and
especially to Jules Siegel who spearheaded the
project and did the lion’s share of its work.
Photo by Leo Roy
Irene Probstein and James Keck enjoy May 19th luncheon.
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
WHAT’S NEW AT TEXTRON
Peacekeeper LCC Closes
From Air Force Magazine - February 2005
Contributed by Mike O’Hara
“On December 7, 2004, the Air Force
deactivated the first of five Peacekeeper ICBM
launch control centers (LCCs). The “Sierra” LCC
is the first control center to be closed since Air
Force Space Command began shutting down the
Peacekeeper system in October 2002.
Each LCC controls 10 ICBMs. The USAF
plans to deactivate all 50 Peacekeepers by the fall.
As each 10 warhead-capable missile is pulled
from its launch silo, it goes through a 17-day
disassembly and storage process. The warheads
are being put away for safekeeping, and portions
of the missile bodies and propulsion systems are
being reused.
According to an Air Force news release,
‘several of the crew members pulling the last
alerts for Sierra will also be [among] the first
members to retrain into the Minuteman III ICBM
system.” The retraining began in January.
capability. Subsequent testing is planned for
moving maritime targets using a B1-B aircraft's
Ground Moving Target Tracking (GMTT) radar.
Tom Harrington, Textron Systems, Vice
President, air launched weapons said, "The Sensor
Fuzed Weapon has proven its success on land. It is
a natural extension to be looking at its capabilities
for maritime targets. This test demonstrates the
ability of SFW to attack and defeat multiple
targets at sea." "The weapon's ability to hold
multiple targets at risk with a single SFW is a true
force multiplier which reduces the exposure to our
aircrews," said Lt. Col. Richard Mountain,
program manager for SFW with the U.S.A.F. Area
Attack Systems Group. "This is true spiral
advancement for SFW. A simple targeting
algorithm change will increase the target set that
this combat-proven weapon can be successfully
employed against."
JUST LIKE OLD TIMES!
The Peacekeepers are being retired as part of
the Administration’s Nuclear Posture Review
plans. The NPR calls for major reductions in the
number of deployed nuclear warheads. The Air
Force’s Minuteman III ICBMs will remain in
service and are being modernized and upgraded.”
Textron Systems' Sensor Fuzed Weapon
Proven Effective for Maritime Interdiction
– Textron Systems
announced today that its Sensor Fuzed Weapon
(SFW) was successfully dropped from a U.S. Air
Force F-16 over littoral [ed.: meaning near shore]
targets during recent testing at Eglin Air Force
Base, Florida. One SFW hit both of the test targets
- stationary 36 ft. Mini Armored Troop Carriers
(MATCs). The SFW was successful in achieving
multiple, hull piercing hits on both targets.
Textron Systems newly developed target
recognition algorithms permit individual Skeets™
to recognize and adjust to a littoral environment
while maintaining current land combat proven
Wilmington, MA – April 20, 2005
Gina Miele, Ron Milauskas and Bill Fitzgerald arrive at
Textron Systems in Wilmington for the TSRA Corporate
Meeting on April 19, 2005.
HEALTH/WELLNESS
INTERNET SITES
On the TSRA Web Site
At http://www.tsretirees.org/
Click Health on the left navigation bar.
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
UPCOMING TSRA EVENTS
TSRA MOURNS AND REMEMBERS
5th Annual John J. Mahoney Memorial
GOLF TOURNAMENT
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
$55 per person includes
golf, cart, snacks and prizes
****
Take me out to the Ball Game!!
LOWELL SPINNER’S BASEBALL GAME
Monday, July 11
$24 pp for Buffet Dinner & Game
(Kids 12 and under $19)
****
Bring the grandkids to see
CINDERELLA
at the North Shore Music Theatre
Wednesday, July 13
$21 pp show only
$39.95 pp Show & Lunch
****
CASINO BOAT CRUISE
Wednesday, August 17
$14 pp for the Cruise, Lunch and Parking
Dr. Harry Petschek, Principal Research
Scientist and Senior Staff Member, Vice President
and then CEO and Chairman of the Board of Avco
Everett Research Laboratory during the 1950s and
1960s, passed away on March 29, 2005. Harry, a
world-renowned physicist and inventor, was
originally a student of Dr. Arthur Kantrowitz. The
two later became co-workers at Avco Everett. Dr.
Petschek had been scheduled to be an honored
guest at the TSRA spring luncheon.
To sign up for any event, send your check to:
TSRA Social Events
P.O. Box 105
Manchester, MA 01944
Dr. Hans Bethe, a Nobel Prize-winning
physicist, and Consultant to and Board Member of
Avco Everett Research Laboratory also passed
away recently. Dr. Bethe elucidated the origins of
the sun’s energy and played a crucial role in the
development of the atomic bomb.
In Memoriam
TSRA sends its condolences and sincere sympathy
to the families of the following former
Avco/Textron employees and spouses:
Harry Petschek
Hans Bethe
Theresa Richards
Bill Bade
Ray Bolton
Les Harris
GIVE SOMETHING BACK
Experience the Power of Caring
Ray D’Auteuil, past President and current
volunteer with Greater Salem Caregivers, is
interested in recruiting TSRA members who are
interested in helping the homebound in our
Community. Our service area is Salem, Pelham,
Atkinson and Plaistow, NH. If you would like to
help, please contact Ray at: 603-362-5921 or
raydauteuil@aol.com.
Pasquale (Patsy) Saggesse
Louis Azevedo
Alice Bowers
Maurice Vautier
Jean Marie Martel
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
“TRUST BUT VERIFY!”
Enrolling Your Spouse in TCP Plan
by Hank McCard
Are you and your spouse enrolled in the
Textron
Choice
Plus
(TCP)
Medicare
supplemental health plan? Have you receive a
confirmation statement from the Fidelity Benefits
Service Center confirming your enrollment?
Although you may have received a confirmation
statement, United Healthcare may not recognize
your spouse’s enrollment.
Here’s my personal experience. I contacted
United Healthcare last year and was told that
under TCP the primary participant and the spouse
are enrolled individually and not both under the
joint prior plan. Therefore, the spouse has to call
United Healthcare to activate their account the
first time that healthcare benefit was being
requested. My wife’s account was presumably
activated at that time. Several TSRA members
have reported that they have experienced problems
with their spouse’s coverage.
If you are unsure of your spouse’s eligibility
status, I recommend that you or your spouse call
the United Healthcare telephone number (800)
250-6672. (Unfortunately you have to talk with a
computer and not a human!!) Be sure to enter your
spouse’s Subscriber ID when requested.
Eventually, a prompt will be received asking if
verification of eligibility is desired. Then enter
you spouse’s birth date. If the spouse is eligible,
the system responds in the affirmative. (The
system may respond that the account needs special
attention and connects you to a United Healthcare
representative.) While preparing this note, I
decided to check my wife’s eligibility again. To
my surprise, there was a problem!
If United Healthcare does not recognize your
spouse’s eligibility, I recommend that you call the
Fidelity Benefits Service Center (1-866 MY TXT
HR or 1-866-698-9847). When I called I spoke to
a young lady who was very understanding and
helpful. After explaining my problem, she
confirmed that both my wife and I were enrolled
in the TCP plan. She offered to call United
Healthcare (while I waited!) She promptly
reported that she had spoken to Betty at United
Healthcare and, indeed, my wife was not listed in
their system. She said that she would try to resolve
the matter. She called back later that day and
reported that my wife was now properly included
in United Healthcare’s system. I repeated the call
to United Healthcare telephone number (800) 2506672 a few days later and verified that she is now
properly enrolled. (At least for the time being!)
Trust but verify and good luck!
TEXTRON ANNOUNCES
SPOUSAL SUPPORT
Textron has announced a “Spousal SupportTM”
financial counseling service. TSRA does not
advocate for any product or service, however, you
may wish to inquire about this service when
providing notification of the death of a spouse to
Fidelity, the administrator of Textron Benefits.
The phone number for Fidelity is 866-6989847.
CALL A COLLEAGUE
The TSRA Annual Calling Initiative is well
underway. Plaudits to Dave White for his
suggestion of: “Members-calling-Members.”
With the new TSRA Directory now in your
hands, why don't YOU call a colleague or send
them an email? They would, no doubt, be
delighted to hear from you.
SPECIAL THANKS
TSRA would like to extend a special “Thank
You” to Mr. Leo Roy for acting as its official
photographer at the May 19th Luncheon
REPORTING TSRA
DEATH NOTICES
TSRA has a small group of volunteers who report
member death notices from the Boston Globe,
Lowell Sun and Lawrence Eagle Tribune. We also
ask that deaths be reported by members or spouses
to Linda Trimble for the Surviving Spouse Group
and to Selena Evans for inclusion in the
newsletter.
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org
Retirement Plan Information for the
Surviving Spouse
Surviving spouses of Avco and Textron
employees have a right to continue certain
benefits. Continuation of benefits does require
action on the part of the surviving spouse to
receive these benefits. Since the benefits vary for
each employee, this brief document points out
areas where action on the part of the spouse is or
may be required.
Important - Questions pertaining to all benefits
to include pension, medical, dental, and life
insurance and 401K are to be addressed to the
Textron Benefits Center, which is administered by
Fidelity: 1-866-698-9847. Textron/Fidelity - and
Social Security (1-800-772-1213) - must be
notified in the event of a participant death
Pensions - Retirees were provided with many
options for receiving pensions. Find out what the
survivor benefit is and review any beneficiary
data. Many employees selected a 50% survivor
benefit; others may have selected a single life
pension.
Medical Insurance - In some cases the
surviving spouse is entitled to lifetime medical
benefits. Check with the Textron Benefits Center.
Make sure you receive the yearly notice of
medical benefit changes and follow instructions on
enrollment. You should receive a letter from
Textron in October or November on the next years
benefit schedule. Call Textron if you do not get
this letter. Remember you are responsible for
sending in premiums for medical insurance. Find
out where to send them, or have them
automatically deducted from a pension check.
Life Insurance - Many employees have
permanent life insurance at separation. Find the
insurance data in the separation papers and call
Fidelity to confirm your benefit. There were many
variations in insurance coverage depending on
when you retired.
product or service. However, you may wish to
enquire about the Fidelity “Spousal SupportTM”
financial counseling service when providing
notification of the death of a spouse. In any case,
these are complicated plans and you should seek
financial advice particularly in the area of
beneficiary designation and changes in
beneficiary. Get advice on the most effective
withdrawal method when you reach the age for
mandatory withdrawal.
Beneficiaries - Many people do not review the
beneficiary designations on important papers such
as insurance, savings plans etc. Upon the death of
a spouse these should be carefully reviewed to
reflect your current wishes. These beneficiary
designations should be reviewed periodically to
reflect your current situation.
Veterans - Deceased veterans are entitled to
burial and other benefits. Contact your local town
veterans’ services office for details.
Summary - TSRA would like to help you sort
out the various plan options and to provide a
contact to talk to in this transition period. The
TSRA “Surviving Spouse Support Group” enables
survivors to talk to others in the same position,
and to perhaps set up support meetings to share
our concerns. Keep in touch with us as we expand
our ability to help our fellow retirees
TSRA’s
SURVIVING SPOUSE GROUP
is available to provide support and practical help
to members who have lost a spouse.
Call Linda Trimble
978-688-5771
.
401ks and IRAs - These are normally
transferred to the spouse as the primary
beneficiary. Transfers have a 60 day time limit to
avoid taxes. TSRA does not advocate for any
Published by the Textron Systems Retirees Association, P.O. Box 2702, Acton, MA 01720.
See our web site at www.tsretirees.org