Mr. Anthony J. Delano
Cullum: 18080
Class: '51
Cadet Company: H1
Date of Birth: May 18, 1928
Date of Death: December 22, 2009 - View or Post a Eulogy
From the 1951 50 year reunion book:
In Korea, one memory stands out clear today as it was then. Rolly Cooper also from H-1 ran into me by chance. To celebrate this reunion, he took me to visit his platoon. I can still see him, proud and enthusiastic as he showed me to his men, all orderly dug in, waiting for his word, ready for action. Rolly did not come back with us.
After Ft. Leonard Wood, I enrolled as a graduate student in the Mechanical Engineering Dept. of Columbia University in New York City. My first civilian job was Analytical Engineer at Pratt& Whitney Aircraft in Hartford in a Government Supported division working on developing a nuclear powered engine for military planes. I was immediately put in charge of six other engineers because they saw my resume, my vast experience as platoon leader in the Engineering Korea, and I had a graduated degree. I had my old Hudson's Manual with me, and it proved very useful. The next job where I made history was at Consolidated Controls, later called Unimation, in Bethel, CT. Here I was development engineer on a brand new project -- designing the world's first industrial robot. When they saw me show up with my Hudson's Manual, they figured I was Einstein reincarnated, so I became the senior mechanical engineer on that project. The robot was duly built, worked, and entered the pages of history in '61 when it was installed in a GM plant in Trenton, NJ and put on the site producing a part for the frame of an auto window.
The major part of my corporate career was spent in a private organization, engaged in creating and manufacturing equipment used for oil exploration. Another application of the project was for use aboard the Navy's submarines. I rode the subs on several trips, barely escaping with my life when discovered as a West Pointer, a black sheep among the sub's officers. The most memorable incident during those early years was being dropped into a sub near Wake Island, from a helicopter. I descended into the sea and had to be hauled aboard half drowned. Later experience here took me to the Texas oil field, the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea. During my retirement, I studied drawing at a local college, and was coaxed into joining a two-week excursion to Province, France.
I was very fortunate to serve for several years on the W.P. Fund Committee, where I renewed friendships and had many pleasant evenings at the Thayer with Herb Roth and Ab Webber. My stroke of a few years back is under control for that the old exercises we learned in PT at the gym are my guide.
Spouse Patricia and I keep warm by the fireplace with our two ancient felines.
