Rich Fesler ...so far.
1960s - I was born in Los Angeles; a 4th generation Californian. Dad – a corporate man, Mom – worked in a machine shop that built parts for intercontinental ballistic missiles. (obviously, the visits to her work left a lasting impression on me.)
I was a troubled child according to my folks ….always disassembling my toys and putting the parts in a box. (I was only 3)
1970s - When I was in grade school, my brother’s best friend’s father (you got that?) owned a military surplus store. Once a week or so, I’d get some pieces of old WWII electronics and spend my weekends taking it apart. Those were my toys! (guess I was a troubled child.) At 12, I saw an magazine article on building a computer - an 8008, only switches for inputs, and these things called "L.E.D.s" for output. I etched the printed circuit board in my parents kitchen sink (which is still stained today) and special ordered parts from Radio Shack. I was able to perform simple binary math. My first programming ...in binary!
Robot Repair - Rich Fesler (L), Dr. Oldfield (R), 1981 |
1980s - Telsa Coils, Lasers, Holograms, Gauss Guns, Marx Generators, 8080 SBC, Robots - I tried to build one of everything in the parents' basement. By 16, I graduated high school and was managing an electronics parts store in Sacramento. I also worked for Robot Repair (Dr. Gene Oldfield) as a ‘Super Tech’ (an 80’s term) designing prototypes for the first RoboCycles; a 15 MPH, bi-wheel, environmental mapping robot utilizing a SYM SBC (6502). (Robocycles were shown at the 1986 World's Fair in Vancouver, Canada)
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I traveled a bit too; guest speaking about Robotics at tradeshows, the Lawrence Hall of Science, and numerous high school science clubs. The local school district also invited me join their advisor committee on technology for the purpose of implementing technology and computer programs in the district. I spent 2 years in and out of college trying to ‘get it’, but I was running circles around my EE professors. Art was a side interest and I had numerous showings, including the Fido Gallery, the Crocker Art Museum, and the American Craft Museum, which still today, holds one of my pieces.
I dabbled a bit at writing - publishing an underground newspaper called "The Battle Zone", was technical consultant on a robot book called "Everybody Can Build a Robot" and even got my "15 minutes of Fame" in an article in 'Rolling Stone Magazine.'
Then a phone call; a friend invited me to come work in the Silicon Valley. In the 80’s this was a dream - the center of the known universe for us Nerds. |
RoboCycle, 1981 |
Data Scale Drum Filler, 1982
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My first job – Redesigning a Industrial Robotic System. My assignment was to convert an existing drum filling system that would normally handle everyday liquids to handling volatile chemicals. Electronic valves had to became pneumatic valves, fluid level sensors had to became remote pressure transducers, and electronic enclosures were pressurized with Nitrogen ...all to reduce a possibility of sparking an explosion. A great first experience in 'the Industry.'
I slept under my desk, ate off the roach coach, and worked until I feel asleep. Weekends I drove home to see the girlfriend (still my wife after 27 yrs.) and relax from the pace of the Valley.
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As for my continued interest in the Arts - I rented a loft in San Francisco, between Mission and Potrero Hill at Theater Artuad. In the evenings, after work I volunteered my technical expertise to Mark Pauline who ran the art group "Survival Research Laboratories" (http://www.srl.org) Mark, Eric, & Matt were doing some amazing art projects, but with limited electronic controls. I built them their first computer controller for a rather large robot that maneuvered on rotating augers ....hard to explain here. (imagine a military tank, but with 24" steel augers on there side instead of tracks - now called the 'Screw Machine')
I was in the valley, happy, and had the best schooling in the world - real life. Thai food for lunch, Mission District burritos for dinner, and doing what I love...amazing!
1990s – Living in the Santa Cruz mountains. The daily commute over Highway 9 in a sports car. The wife, the kids, the dog, the big deck, and a house with 11 computers. Weekends were spent at Fry's, Sand Hill Races, or working in the yard. My employers spread the gamit of technology: Oracle, Spectra-Physics, CBS, Yamaha, Siemens, Honeywell, etc., etc.
I progressed up the chain of command with mixed emotions. I liked the power of management, but also liked the hands-on bench work. I found balance by being a ‘hands on’ manager. My employees respected me and I respected them. Department lunch at the miniature golf-course was a ritual.
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Santa Cruz Mountains, 1999 |
The web was taking off and I saw the future in hardware control via a web browser. I shifted my interests, or should I say, expanded my interests to web development. I eagerly accepted a position at Oracle managing a group of developers. We wrote custom web-based applications for the marketing department. Web front-end, oracle DB backend. PL/SQL, C, Excel API, etc.
Seemed that I had a good understanding of overall technology and numerous colleagues pushed me to go into consulting. I made the leap of faith (in myself) and weaned myself from ‘Mother Oracle’.
Data Center, 2004 (design & installation by rfesler) |
My clients and skill set spanned the industry; from programming industrial controllers, to designing Data Centers, to solving MS Exchange issues, to web and graphic design. I was a whore for the technology industry. I called myself "The O.L.M. Design Group" |
2000s – The industry was changing. People in the Dot Com community were looking at each other and asking ‘how are we making money?’ and that question popped the balloon.
By 2002, my consulting was drying up fast and I needed to make a change. Cooking and entertaining had always been my passion and I had a crazy idea of starting a restaurant. With the oldest boy in the service, we moved to the Mendocino coast. I continued commuting to support the last of my clients and did miscellaneous web work remotely.
Web Design, graphic design, and business consulting paid the bills. |
Cocktails at work ...only at a Dot Com, 2001 |
Farm Intern planting plant plugs, 2008 |
If the idea of starting a restaurant was not crazy enough, how about starting an Organic Vegetable Farm then? After moving, I saw a need and future in supplying the local community with fresh, local, organic vegetables. The restaurant idea went out the window and the Wife and I started Red Dog Ranch. (our retirement) |
Today, my wife commutes to Los Angeles during the week to work and the boys are in college. Red Dog Ranch has hired a full time manager to run the day-to-day business. We are also attempting to expand into other markets which included - Organic Dog Bones (www.RanchBones.com), and Meat Seasonings (www.RanchRub.com)
After 5 years, the infrastructure is in place, the SOPs written, and the market is established. Sales are good. I can now return to main-stream employment knowing I have some type of retirement waiting for me in the future.
Current employment plans is to find employment in high-tech, leading a team or project involving some type of Web Technology, or doing world-wide Field Engineering support.
Thanx for reading my bio and please don't hesitate to ask about the details.
- Rich Fesler