Date: Tue, 6 Apr 2004 12:58:04 -0500
From: Ron Vrabel
To: Jacques L'Heureux
Subject: Dad

I happened upon the site of (LASR) Midway Labs by accident. It was really interesting to see a picture of my dad included with the mug shots. I was fortunate enough to attend his retirement party as a young boy.

George Vrabel was a photographer for a number of years and often talked about the great times and friends during his tenure there. Unfortunately, dad passed away in 1993 doing what he loved best. It was May 22 and dad was in his garden when struck by a fatal heart attack. He was truly a special person to his family and is greatly missed even now. George's wife Ann passed away in 2002.

The surviving family includes three sons and their families. One of his sons passed away in 1997. I would really love to know if anyone has any memories of dad.

Thank you very much:

Ron Vrabel

Date: Thu, 08 APR 2004 22:26:15 -0400
From: Jacques L'Heureux
To: Ron Vrabel
Subject: George Vrabel

Ron -

I did remember your father and I know of others who knew him much better. Your dad took all these mug shots and he also photographed layouts for electronic boards, many of them used in balloon borne instruments as well as space instruments. When the photo lab was cleaned out a few years ago, the mug shots were discovered and they were scanned by some of the people still there at the time (Kelderhouse, Drag, Pyle). They send me the electronic version of the pictures and I posted them on the web. We had a real ball for several months trying to identify everyone.

I was at LASR from 1961-1966 and again from 1978-1990. I definitely overlapped with your dad the first time I was at LASR. I am not sure about the second time. What year did he retire?

I will pass this reply which includes your email to a few others and let them reminisce about knowing your father.

Thanks for contacting us.
Jacques

Date: Fri, 9 APR 2004 08:45:44 -0500
To: Jacques L'Heureux
From: Marjie Wash
Subject: Re: George Vrabel

Thanks for forwarding this, Jacques.

I remember George very well. He used to talk to me a lot. He liked to collect herbs for various remedies and he would tell me what herb was good for what physical problem. I'm not surprised that he was working in his garden when he passed away.

George was definitely a special person.

Marjie

Date: Fri, 9 APR 2004 15:30:24 -0500
From: Fred Sopron
To: Jacques L'Heureux
Subject: RE: George Vrabel

Hi Jacques,

Here's my recollection of George Vrabel.

I remember George from LASR. Like you (Jacques) said, he did the photo work for all of the satellite instruments and also reduced printed circuit board drawings to 1:1 scale so they could be sent out for manufacture.

Once, when the state of Illinois introduced Firearm Owners picture ID cards he setup a portrait station in the hallway in front of the photo lab and all firearm owners got their mug shots taken. Someone stuck their head in my lab and said, "George is shooting gun ID pictures, hurry down near the photo lab if you want yours taken".

I also remember his retirement party in the LASR library. Vernon, the administrator at the time, went out and bought a bunch of cheap rod & reels and tackle with the money we collected for a gift. Vernon was not a fisherman and didn't realize that one good rod & reel would have been a more welcome gift by a true fisherman such as George.

I also remember that he talked about the White Castle in Hammond or thereabouts having the best coffee in the State of Indiana!

Fred

Date: Thu, 15 APR 2004 14:58:11 -0500
From: Johnson, W.C. \"Skip\"
To: 'Jacques L'Heureux
Subject: RE: George Vrabel

Hi Ron,

I remember your dad and his dark room. He once took me into the room and showed me the complete process. Personally I never got into photography but enjoyed his company. His darkroom was close to the shop and he liked to hang out there and swap stories with Al Hoteko. If I remember correctly he also liked to roller-skate.

Skip

Date: Thu, 15 APR 2004 20:12:29 +0000
From: Roger Pyle
Subject: Re: George Vrabel
To: Ron Vrabel

Ron,

I also spent time talking with your dad when I was at LASR (1963-1998). I remember he would talk about his previous job as a medical photographer at Billings Hospital. His old photo lab was converted into an office/lab about 10(?) years ago.

Roger Pyle

Date: Mon, 19 APR 2004 14:32:37 -0500
From: Ron Vrabel
To: Jacques L'Heureux
Subject: Re: George Vrabel

Jacques-

I have received some e-mails regarding my dad and his work at LASR. It has been very gratifying to know that he was remembered in such a positive manner. I really appreciate your taking the time to spread my message. As a young man as is the case with many youths, we did not really know what kind of work dad was engaged in. Hope to hear more in the future.

Thanks again,
Ron Vrabel

Date: Mon, 19 APR 2004 19:05:49 -0400
From: Jacques L'Heureux
To: Ron Vrabel
Subject: Re: George Vrabel

Ron - You are very welcome. Everyone at LASR was essential to the success of the research we were conducting - from the photographer to the engineer to the scientists. My own Ph.D. thesis work utilized many circuit boards which I am sure your father produced from the layout done by the engineers. I could not have obtained my degree without the help of these people.

If you do not mind, I will put your letter and a few responses on the LASR website to share with others in the future.

Thanks again for contacting us.
Jacques