Unified Index

A complete index of my memoir — every major section, organized in one place.

The Life

Eras

People

Jean Louise Dickinson Hess Woehlcke Best Mom Ever - #1 on anyone's list

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Thomas Blaine Hess Sr Married at 17 - died at 36 - worked hard - abandoned us

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Carl Thomas Woehlcke Corky "most trusted man in Cape May" -- USMC - Loved and married our mother at 26 and her SEVEN children. An incredible man who worked harder than any man I've known. The Best.

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Tracey Carlton Moe Ah, my final and best wife! Beautiful, intelligent, and a great mom to Taj & Brahm. Almost 30-years together.

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Bonnie Jean Hess Rulli #1 Child (and knew it) who lives life to the fullest and taught us all a lot along the way.

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William Curtis Hess Yeah, me. #2 child, #1 son -- parents gave me so much responsibility to go with the love. --USN--

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Richard Thomas Hess #3 child and my competition in sports (he was always better...because I pushed him). We are more similar than the other siblings, except in politics. --USAF--

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Linda Lou Hess Lambert #4 child - middle child who was more responsible than any of us. Loved by her employers, and is a super grandma.

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Thomas Blaine Hess Jr #5 child - another middle - and he lived the midset of "I wanna do it, so shut up about it." Died much t0o young at 52. --USN--

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Stanley Dale Hess #6 Child (and supposed to be the last), always "Mr Smooth" and best golfer still. --USN--

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Karl Hess #7 Child - yep, the "baby" and boy did he take advantage. Might be the smartest of us all. --USAF--

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Will G Hess My #1 Son -- more on his page

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Katherine J Hess My #1 Daughter -- more on her page

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Tajivan Vaccarella Tracey's #1 Son - more on his page

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Brahm Collin Vaccarella Tracey's #2 Son - more on his page

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Anne Godar Wife and then mom to Will and Kate. So kind and thoughtful. We had almost 20-years together during my early officer years.

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Navy

RADM Steve Israel The Single Most Important Person in my Navy Civ Career - read more

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RADM Paul Shebalin The Most Important Person in my Uniformed Navy Career - read more

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LCDR Bill Lupton USS Nimitz CIC leader - taught me so much.

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CAPT Tim Arcano Without question, Tim is the SMARTEST Naval Officer I've known. PhD in Physics/Engineering. I regret not pushing for his promotion to RADM.
CAPT Michael Brown Got played by this CAPT who I helped make RADM, then betrayed me. Only officer in my career with near-zero ethics.
CAPT Jim Cannon aka "Loose" to go with last name. Photo-master.
CAPT Caccivo USS Nimitz Operations Officer - and most influential officer with the CO. Made me #1 ENS of 26 multiple times. Guided my early career more than any other.
LT Charles H Davis USCG Anne and I hung with Chuck and his wife at NPS Monterey. I heard that he died young. Ugh.
Bob Etheredge USS Nimitz - CIC Watch Officer and good running mate - we did a number of memorable liberty calls together. Super smart guy.
CAPT Chuck Fidler My most competent NAVSEA 00Z Officer - implemented Surge Maint
CAPT Dale Hafer Best ONR CO - followed me as Director Pgm38
CAPT John Hobday John was my XO at one point, then a CO when I was ONR Director. Gets it done!!
CDR Geoff Johnson A NCSU grad, who helped me get an XO slot, then CO slot -- which guaranteed CAPT. Super nice guy too.
LT Dale Lichty Dale and I were top ENS/LTJG on Nimitz. We helped each other regardless.
CAPT Jerry Tighe The prominent Socal CAPT - so cool, knows everyone everywhere
LT Konrad Steven Tinius USAF Monterey close neighbor with cute wife and child we regularly socialized with

1960-1970

Barbara Sue Hunter Biggest young love - and most beautiful and kind young woman. Always wondered "What if..."

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Chris Rivas Met at San Diego State. My first "Navy babe" - can't tell her parents - we almost married. Loved her Mexican family culture.

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Ina Kelly The cute and always reliable Cape May stalwart - wanna know something about durn near any long time resident, just ask Ina. Always nice. Love her.

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Lynn Smith Best buddies for many years...also served in Navy late-60's Brooks Brothers (near) model. Generations of his family lived in Cape May. (Mayflower link)

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Doreen Branigan TBD — Write Something
Jack Brown TBD — Write Something
Dwight Coleman TBD — Write Something
Frank Collins TBD — Write Something
Becky Cox My high-school "Best Dressed Partner"
Joe Elwell TBD — Write Something
Melody Embley TBD — Write Something
Judy Fox TBD — Write Something
Joanne Franco TBD — Write Something
George Gable Mr. Basketball...we were "mutt and jeff" walking the streets of Cape May
Sandy Herman TBD — Write Something
Walter Hicks TBD — Write Something
Madonna Hitchcock TBD — Write Something
Larry Laragione TBD — Write Something
Jackie Leatherwood TBD — Write Something
Jane Lundholm TBD — Write Something
Steve McCullough TBD — Write Something
Pat Pecorella TBD — Write Something
Sue Pecorella TBD — Write Something
Sam Perez TBD — Write Something
Cathy Proud Dated - so cute & petite, but don't mess with her
Mike Reagan TBD — Write Something
Sue Rutherford TBD — Write Something
Peer Schmidtchen TBD — Write Something
Ester Schrank 1966 Summer Love - mostly
Robert Taccard TBD — Write Something
Joel Tenenbaum TBD — Write Something
Betsydiane Umfrid TBD — Write Something
Ken Washington TBD — Write Something

LCMRHS - Teachers & Staff

Ann Zeller School counselor - did she know me? I doubt it.
Carlyle Dennis Truancy office, so yes, he knew me. Also arranged a $500 cash award at graduation. I needed it.
Catherine Sayre An inspiring math teacher who couldn't say "minimum"
Charles Wise Coach, father, umpire -- nicest guy you'd ever meet.
Doub DeWeese Basketball coach - so so
Frances Jackson Best elementary school teacher - taught cursive among so much more.
Helen Mish Senior (and single) English teacher. Probably 4'6" tall. So strict.
James Mullen Coolest teacher at LCMRHS - in dress & demeanor
John Weeks Art teacher - kind and helpful
John Wilsey Baseball coach - very difficult guy
Joseph Zahora Science teach extraordinaire - inspirational.
Lois Search Librarian - pretty and no-nonsense
Melvin Bouboulis Boo-Boo - the Principle. Stern.
Norm Weinberg Baseball coach - aka "The Turtle"
Paul Douglas Music - and loved his work.
Spicer Leaming TBD — Write Something
Stella Culp The kindest nurse you could ever ask for. Totally competent and professional.
Walter Hass Drafting teacher - very instructive and good guy.
Warren Esher Best math teacher at LCMRHS - helped me constantly.
Warren Watson Somewhat aloof History teacher - a subject I did not appreciate at the time. He was also a bigtime restaurant owner in Cape May.

Travel

Places Lived

1948 - Williamsport PA - Born here Click for residence photos...
1955 - Cape May NJ - Young life Click for residence photos...
1967 - Glassboro - Wheaton Glass Click for residence photos...
1967 - Williamsport - Lycoming College Click for residence photos...
1968 - San Diego - Recruit Training Command Click for residence photos...
1968 - San Diego - USS Nereus Point Loma Click for residence photos...
1968 - NucPwr School - Mare Island Click for residence photos...
1969 - Windsor NucPwr - Agawam MA Click for residence photos...
1970 - NAPS Bethesda MD Click for residence photos...
1970 - NCSU Green Lvl Rd - Apex NC Click for residence photos...
1973 - OCS Newport RI Click for residence photos...
1974 - Newport News Shipbuilding -Nimitz pre-comm Click for residence photos...
1974 - 5816 N Cherokee VA Beach - USS Nimitz Click for residence photos...
1975 - Monterey CA - Naval Postgraduate School Click for residence photos...
1978 - 13006 Standish Ct, Woodbridge VA Click for residence photos...
1991 - 12504 Waterman Dr, Raleigh NC Click for residence photos...
1991 - 7247 Archlaw, Clifton VA Click for residence photos...
1993 - 2939 Wetherburn Ct, Woodbridge, VA Click for residence photos...
1995 - 2400 Paces Forest Ct, Raleigh NC Click for residence photos...
1997 - 2713 Kittrell Dr, Raleigh NC Click for residence photos...
1999 - 35 Austin Dr, Edgewater MD Click for residence photos...
2001 - 39 Windwhisper, Annapolis, MD Click for residence photos...
2019 - 1001 N Montgomery - Ojai CA Click for residence photos...
2020 - 1101 N Montgomery - Ojai CA Click for residence photos...
2022 - 1693 Red Rock - Ventura CA Click for residence photos...
2024 - 1197 Buena Vista - Ventura CA Click for residence photos...
2025 - 1114 Pso Barranca - Santa Fe NM Click for residence photos...

What I Think

  • Coming Soon — Essays, reflections, commentary

AI‑All

  • Coming Soon — My ongoing observations about AI in our lives