Hello All,
Many of us, especially me, have called Phil Stephenson with Ashtech then Thales then Magellan Professional then Ashtech 2.0 and now Spectra Precision questions over the years.
Phil has been one of the good constants through many changes.
I wanted to remind us all that he is retiring at the end of March. On April Fool’s Day, he will be free of our problems.
Since he probably won't be too keen on taking our calls in April, now would be a good time to call him and say thanks (he probably does not get many calls from people who don't have problems, it may freak him out.)
I am going to keep tabs on him, hopefully he can be my retirement model.
But in any case, I can't tell you or him how much I have appreciated his advice, help and friendship over the last decade. He as much as anyone else has left a positive indelible mark on the survey industry world-wide.
Good on him!
M
The information that Phil has put on the the original RPLS site was a source of great information and was timely for me when I got my PM3s.
He always put things in an understandable form and I appreciated that help very much.
Good for Phil and best wishes..........
:star:
Heck of a guy and a dirt surveyor that knows his stuff. Hope his retirement is as good as he is.
He helped me a great deal a few years back, patiently answering my static and transformation questions over several emails. And offering encouragement. Thankyou Phil!
Phil is a dandy. I haven't talked to him in several years, but I think of him. He has helped me in the past with locus, pm2's, ashtech solutions, and so on.
I wish him the best, and may the Good Lord bless him!
Call Phil Stevenson? Not Without A Work Order
At least that is my understanding.
Of course that rule may only apply to me, who used to wear out Phil's ears.
Paul in PA
Call Phil Stevenson? Not Without A Work Order
I am happy to have known him. We got a little ways beyond merely dealing with tech support issues.
A truly good guy in my opinion.
I had the great pleasure of working side-by-side with Phil Stevenson for several years back in the Ashtech/Magellan/Thales days. We had many opportunities for discussion together, both philosophical and technical in nature. Phil is a never-ending source of down-home Oklahoma style wit and wisdom. A master teller of stories and parables, all of which had a good punchline or moral or lesson at the end. One of my favorite work activities was simply eavesdropping on Phil's telephone conversations with our customers (and some of you here know who you are :-)) Never failed to put a smile on my face.
Phil really loved his work-- I don't know what he might do in his well deserved retirement (ummmh, perhaps go out and map a few things?) but I sure do wish him the best at whatever he does.
Hopefully I will get to see Phil again at the O.S.L.S. Convention in OKC in Early March. I heard that he was going to attend.
B-)
I never expected this much attention! Thank you all for the flowers.
I used Ashtech receivers for the first time in March 1994 and expect to use them for the last time in March 2014. Through all the name changes and modifications in the technology it still feels like Ashtech tools to me. Times are changing and I got a chance to learn how to use a Focus 30 robot in 2013. It was very interesting to see how well it would match my GNSS observations. I like being part of Spectra Precision even if I never get all of the tools figured out.
It is not my skill that has kept me employed so much as it is the willingness of others to pay for what I know. I figure my luck is just about to run out as my memory grows more fragile and my legs quit working.
Soon the federal government will fix my income. It will be time to grow flowers and vegetables in the yard. I still have enough mental and physical agility to do that. I can crawl around in the back yard if my legs give up completely.
Jeannine and I also have plans to spend more nights in her camper.
I won't have money for tools. The ones I have now will be returned to my employer.
Dad's advice still knocks at the back of my mind. Don't make long range plans after age 60. I will keep it simple and stay as flexible as my stiff old bones will permit.
With encouragement from Jeannine, combined with the money we spent on continuing education last year, I kept both my Oklahoma and Texas licenses and have renewed my memberships in the OSLS and TSPS.
We are planning to attend the OSLS conference in March. Jeannine is signed up for the ladies program. If we can stay healthy enough we will be there. I still get a free breakfast every year as a reward for being a former president of the OSLS.
My wish for all of you is that you can be productive citizens and fund my social security checks to the best of your ability. Surveyors are living proof that some people will do anything for money. I am very proud to be a dirt surveyor myself.
And, Paul, if you need tech support just send your questions to support@spectraprecision.com. I will even respond for a few more weeks. Are those grandbabies big enough to whip you yet?
Phil Stevenson
you're about to be as rare as a unicorn. a real live retired surveyor. never seen one myself. 🙂
You can keep track of me on Facebook or maybe Instagram. I will keep kicking up sand for as long as I can kick anyway.
Phil-
Alexandra and I have a spot on the farm for you two to park the trailer with all "the facilities" so you may have a base to enjoy and visit the supra latitudes fresh air !
Cheers,
Derek
5 Grandbabies, Collectively They Wear Me Out
Lately I have been fortunate enough to figure things out on my own.
I am sitting at a new computer, but have yet to load any work programs on it. After one week up and running this, my laptop crashed big time before anything got moved. I have yet to pull the old hard drive. Most likely I will be needing a new software code once GNSS Solutions gets moved.
How many years ago did I encourage you to get on this board? Your arrival now is bittersweet.
Paul in PA
That might be just the thing come August. I was on the phone one day with one of your northern neighbors. He works just a little bit north of the arctic circle. He told me they have three seasons that far north. Last winter, this winter, and next winter.
5 Grandbabies, Collectively They Wear Me Out
When Derek told me about Mark's post I had to come put in my two cents. There are a variety of reasons why I was anti-social for such a long time. The reasons do not really matter. I was never far away. B-) I hope those youngsters keep you out of trouble.
5 Grandbabies, Collectively They Wear Me Out
Phil,
Thank you for all of your help over the past several years. I have many of your documents saved for reference.
I wish you all the best in your retirement. You have earned it!
Jimmy Cleveland
Way too long! Saw "gunner's" still going strong at NAPE yesterday. Glad she carries on. Will NEVER forget meeting you on your side of Red River and am energized each time we interact. May your future be even more awesome than what has happened up to now. Great idea to acknowledge you as your service to our profession obviously continues to make a positive difference. Congrats!
Robert - Every time I think about you and Gunner and your friendship with Sharon and me I scratch my head a little. Sharon and I were plain people. You and Ivy were always the center of attention. Something just clicked. We started paying close attention to the two of you and your success. I am glad you and Ivy are not enemies even if you are no longer partners in crime. Sharon would still want to hug both of you if she were here to do it. Jeannine and I will hug you for her if we get the chance. G9 convinced me to keep both Texas and Oklahoma up to date. It's possible that I might meet a young surveyor who has the ambition and intelligence to operate a survey business but needs somebody to help them get a little more experience. My legs are no good for fence climbing any more but I could sit there in a lawn chair and express my opinion about the field work. I would be content to go away after they get their own license. There are a lot of guys who have spent more time as a dirt surveyor than I have. My problem is having been rode hard and put away wet a few times. The adventure continues. I am done but not yet gone.
