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John Telfer MacTarnaghan ’37

John attended Reed for one year, a time he valued throughout his life for the cultural perspective provided by classes he took in the humanities, the writing skills he gained, and for the Honor Principle. He earned a BS in engineering from Oregon State College (University). John and Helen A. Bennett ’39 married and had two children, Jean and Sidney. John worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Portland for 20 years, and for the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station in China Lake, California, for 5. He retired from the U.S. Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center in El Segundo, California, after 13 years. John enlisted in the navy in 1943 and continued to serve in the navy reserve, achieving the rank of lieutenant commander. Reflecting on his Reed experience for his 75th class reunion, he noted, “I still remember my good life at Reed, although I am only 98 years old now.” Helen died in 2003.

Appeared in Reed magazine: December 2015

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