Interview Series

An Interview with Walter White

Walter White was awarded a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from RPI in 1964 and worked in advanced rocketry instrumentation at Arnold AFS in Tullahoma, TN.

IEEE Computer Society

Published 04/13/2021

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Walter White was awarded a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from RPI in 1964 and worked in advanced rocketry instrumentation at Arnold AFS in Tullahoma, TN. From there, moved to satellite communication work and logic design with GTE Sylvania. Did private network development for The Foxboro Company, and after that, Configuration Management for various firms for thirty years, retiring in 2018 from NUWC in Newport, RI. The greatest help along the way was from the IEEE State of the Art courses. Practical and down to earth, those courses were invaluable to my career growth.

What inspired you to pursue computing as a career?

Walter White I had wanted to be an Engineer from the 6th grade onward. It was a dream come true when I graduated! Computing was an important part of that, making nearly impossible things possible.

How did you first learn about the IEEE Computer Society?

Walter White I was there when the IEEE was formed. I was in college and a member of both the IRE and AIEE when the merger happened, so I simply continued my combined membership. When the Computer Society came along, it was natural to add that membership as well. The sharper focus was essential.

What value do you get from membership - why have you been a member for so long?

Walter White In addition to the insurance, being able to collaborate with my colleagues was important. Now that I am in retirement, keeping in contact with them is important to me. Additionally, I like to keep up with technology.

What is the most lasting piece of advice/information you've learned directly because of the Computer Society?

Walter White Our profession changes so rapidly that we need to be actively engaged to advance. The Computer Society is an integral part of that. It helps to energize our careers.

About Walter White

Walter White was awarded a Bachelor of Electrical Engineering from RPI in 1964 and worked in advanced rocketry instrumentation at Arnold AFS in Tullahoma, TN. From there, moved to satellite communication work and logic design with GTE Sylvania. Did private network development for The Foxboro Company, and after that, Configuration Management for various firms for thirty years, retiring in 2018 from NUWC in Newport, RI. The greatest help along the way was from the IEEE State of the Art courses. Practical and down to earth, those courses were invaluable to my career growth.