ADMINISTRATION DEGREE PROGRAMS

My dad passed away early Friday morning, while I was on my way to JFK, from liver failure due to cancer. I wrote this for the program we will be passing out at the funeral on Thursday. But really, there are no words for this kind of loss. He was my daddy, who held me at every stage of my life, who let me go to New York, who held me even though he didn't think I was around enough. I love him and miss him so very much.

Emanuele B------ was born in San Pietro, a small town in the north of Italy, on November 21, 1942. He died in Sunland, CA with his family on January 12, 2007.

The son of a stonemason responsible for impressive aqueducts in the Alps, Emanuele dreamed of an education so he could become a structural engineer, a dream that led him to the home of his aunt and uncle in California in 1962. A boy from a small village with an 8th grade education, he completed the requirements for an American high school diploma in a matter of months and continued to work as he put himself through school, transferring from Pasadena City College to California Polytechnic at San Luis Obispo.

Emanuele spent his summers during college working at the El Paseo restaurant on historic Olvera Street in downtown Los Angeles. In 1967, he met Los Angeles native, Carolyn, who danced flamenco at the restaurant under the name Carolina Rojas. The romance of the dancer and the waiter led to their marriage in 1968, and both finished their education at Cal Poly, a place that would continue to be of great importance to him. They graduated in 1970, both on the Dean’s List. Emanuele later completed a Master’s of Science degree at UCLA, fufilling his dream.

Over the next thirty years, he owned and managed several structural engineering firms. His satisfaction in his work did not prevent him from seeking other challenges, in business as well as other arenas. He demonstrated his dedication to Cal Poly by working for the establishment of The George Hasslein Endowed Chair For Interdisciplinary Studies in Environmental Design, named for his mentor. With his wife Carolyn, he published The Vision, a pictorial history of his alma mater. In 2001, Cal Poly honored him with the Alumnus of the Year Award from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design.

In 1991, we moved into the home that had been another of Emanuele’s dreams. A beautiful four-storied architectural building filled with light, he had spent ten years designing, planning and then building the house that the family would occupy for the next ten years. He visited his family in Italy as often as possible and was able to visit everyone one last time in August 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Carolyn, and his two daughters, Maria Elena and Lisa Caterina. Survivors also include his brothers and sisters in Italy – Mario, Carolina, Santino, Arnaldo, and Adelia – and his many nieces and nephews.

His life of hard work, loyalty to colleagues, clients and employees, and devotion to his family is a testament to the viability of the American dream. May he know how dearly he is loved, and that the world is a lesser place without his dedication, brilliance, and courage.

Commander Greg McWherter is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and a 1986 graduate of Avondale High School where he lettered in football and soccer. He attended The Citadel, where he played NCAA Division 1 soccer for the Bulldogs and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering in 1990. He received his commission through the NROTC program and entered aviation training at Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, Florida in June 1990. Greg continued his training at nearby NAS Whiting Field, flying the T-34C Mentor, before moving to NAS Meridian, Mississippi to fly the T-2C Buckeye and TA-4J Skyhawk. He was awarded his Wings of Gold in September 1992.

In November 1992, Greg reported to the VFA-106 "Gladiators" at NAS Cecil Field, Florida for initial training in the FA-18 Hornet. Upon completion of the Fleet Replacement Squadron, he was ordered to the VFA-131 “Wildcats” where he served as Landing Signal Officer, Weapons Training Officer and Quality Assurance Officer. From October 1993 to February 1997, he completed two workups and deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf with the "Wildcats" aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73). He graduated from the United States Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) in May 1995 and was selected as VFA-131’s Pilot of the Year in 2006.

In March 1997, Greg reported to NAS Fallon, Nevada as a TOPGUN Instructor. During his tour in Fallon, he served as Training Officer and the Navy’s AIM-9M/X, Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System and FA-18 Air-to-Air Employment Subject Matter Expert.

Greg returned to the fleet in March 2000 as Tactics Officer and Department Head for VFA-34 at NAS Oceana, Virginia. During his tour with the "Blue Blasters", he completed two more Mediterranean Sea and Arabian Gulf deployments aboard USS George Washington (CVN 73) and was selected by his peers to receive the 2003 Commander, Naval Air Forces Leadership Award.

In August 2003, Greg received orders to the United States Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia. Within the Joint Requirements and Integration Directorate (J8), he served as the Joint Close Air Support (JCAS) Branch Chief and was responsible for identifying mission area shortfalls and developing joint solutions through the Department of Defense. During his Joint tour, Greg completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I through the College of Distance Education at the Naval War College.

After completing refresher training in the FA-18 Hornet in March 2006, Greg reported as Executive Officer of VFA-192 stationed at NAF Atsugi, Japan. He commanded the World Famous Golden Dragons through three major deployments onboard USS Kitty Hawk (CV 63) from June 2007 until July 2008.

Greg assumed command of the Blue Angels in November 2008. He has over 3,700 flight hours and 950 carrier arrested landings. His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal, two Air Medals (Strike Flight), two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, as well as various campaign and unit awards.