Pocomoke Man Retires After 60 Years of Federal Service

Wow!.  Here's something that will really make you feel like a sloucher if you have to drag yourself to work in the mornings.  Imagine SIXTY YEARS at the same place of employment! 

Those many years of service belong to a  wonderful man that many know so well.  So,  in case you didn't know,  Frank Schmidlin just retired after  60 years of service at NASA.

Congratulations Frank Schmidlin!!  Enjoy your retirement. 

I wonder what his list of "honey-dos" looks like.



Frank Schmidlin
NASA Photo

 Schmidlin Retires after Six Decades of Service

When Frank Schmidlin began his federal career, the President was Harry S. Truman, gas was twenty cents per gallon, and Gene Kelly was “Singin’ in the Rain.”

Now, over 60 years later, Schmidlin has decided to retire. Yes, over 60 years in his federal career. You may be asking yourself how one manages to have a 60+ year career. For Schmidlin, it’s simple.

“If I didn’t enjoy it, I wouldn’t have done it,” he says.

After serving his country in the United States Navy, Schmidlin began work for the United States Weather Bureau, now known as the National Weather Service. While with the Weather Bureau, he worked on the ocean weather project and with the moving ship program. In 1961, the Weather Bureau was awarded a contract with NASA at Wallops Island, and Schmidlin made the move to the Eastern Shore.

Schmidlin continued in that role until 1976, when Wallops director Robert Krieger asked him to work for NASA. Schmidlin agreed.

Since then, Schmidlin has been part of world-class research that has spanned the globe. He estimates he has visited 20-30 countries as part of his career, but “it may be more,” he says.

Throughout his career he has been part of many distinguished meteorological programs, including serving as the United States delegate on the World Meteorological Organization, a specialized agency of the United Nations that serves as the UN’s voice on the state and behavior of Earth’s atmosphere.

With over 60 years of federal service, Schmidlin has many stories to tell and many fond memories made.

“It makes it hard to retire,” he says. But, at the end of the day, he can sum it up into one simple statement. “I’ve had a good career,” Schmidlin says with a smile.

Congratulations Frank on a milestone career! We wish you a long, happy retirement!
NASA