Jane and I settled in Austin February 1988 after my retirement from CIT.  After so many years where both she and I worked we just enjoyed being together and living in the central Texas hill country.

Jane had been fighting cancer since early 1989.  She had several major surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, etc. Fortunately, for the majority of this time (and due to her plucky spirit), her life style was not too adversely affected and she was able to engage in her favorite activities -- puttering around the kitchen and cooking.

We did not do much traveling except for visiting Las Vegas every year or so, which Jane loved. (See our photo in Vegas in the photo album.)

During the last month or so of her life, the cancer started getting the better of her and she became progressively weaker.  She died peacefully in her sleep at home on May 16, 2000.

Our son Doug had come down for Mother's day, and he got to visit with her for three days before her death.

Jane's ashes were laid to rest in the beautiful Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, where I will join her when my time comes. 

Doug and daughter-in-law Anita live in Arlington, VA.  We talk several times a week and Doug and I exchange E-Mail.  We enjoy arguing politics as Doug and Anita are staunch Conservatives and I am a typical Austin Liberal, although Doug is hard at work trying to convert me.  Doug and Anita were partners in their law firm, Welty & Blair.  When Anita was appointed to the Navy Department she retired from the firm and it has been renamed C. Douglas Welty, P.C. To visit the firm's web site, click HERE.  On August 15, 2001 Anita was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy and in January 2008 was appointed acting Assistant Secretary (Manpower and Reserve Affairs).  This job ended on January 20, 2009 with the incoming new administration. She returned to the federal government in late August as Chief Strategist for the National Security Professional Development Integration Office.

Since Jane's death I have been working as a volunteer for SeniorNet, helping to teach computer skills to Seniors.  The SeniorNet mission is: "The nonprofit SeniorNet provides adults 50+ access to and education about computer technology and the Internet to enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom."  If you would like to learn more about the organization, click HERE.  This keeps me fairly busy.  I rewrote and updated one of our core courses "Introduction to Using Your Computer".  Later I rewrote it for Vista.

I have joined a "third age" continuing education group at University of Texas -- UT Quest. This is a group of about 350 people who meet for lectures and seminars on a WIDE VARIETY of subjects.  Lots of fun and very interesting. This is one of four similar groups which are sponsored by UT.

I have also ventured into public speaking.  Beginning in 2003 I developed a series of lectures about pop music from the 20s, 30s and early 40s – the music that I listened to when I was growing up.  They combine playing music and describing the times and musicians.  I have given the lectures to the third age groups at UT as well as to other local organizations, and continue to receive requests from new organizations to give one of the lectures.  The reception has been gratifying.  For a description of the lectures click HERE.  I also prepared a 6 session seminar on “The Changing Sound of Popular Music – 1910 to 1950”, which I have presented twice.

In addition, a couple of other folks and I developed a 6 session seminar on "The Joy of Personal Computing".  So far we have given it twice to UT groups.

In the summer of 2003 I visited Doug and Anita in Arlington for a few days -- enjoyed seeing them.  Anita had Doug and I to lunch in the Secretary's dining room at the Pentagon -- quite an experience.  While we were there Anita took us on a tour of the halls to see the many paintings and exhibits relating to the various services, their people and engagements.  A beautiful chapel and memorial has been built at the point of impact of the 9/11/2001 plane attack on the Pentagon.

Doug visited me in August 2009, and, as usual, I really enjoyed visiting with him.  In addition, he helped me with several home improvement projects.  Cheaper than hiring a repairman!