OldTools Archive

Recent Bios FAQ

58103 Joe and Rhonda DiPietro <laws@m...> 1999‑02‑20 Joe DiPietro BIO
Dear Fellows in Wood...

I was recommended to this list but did not offer an official bio...I was
looking for a Millers Fall #22 Jointer plane (found one, too!) from
fellow galoot Chris Dunn...and its a beautiful piece of iron

I am a collegiate professor operating four programs in cardiopulmonary
sciences, sleep studies, echocardiography and electrocardiography. I
have 85 students engaging in these programs in one form or another. My
SWMBO is a patient care coordinator in a local hospital and I can easily
describe her as Clara Barton of the 20th Century...for those of you who
do not know of Clara Barton, she was a teacher, who served as a nurse in
the American Civil War, and the Crimean War in Europe. Her first battle
engagement was at Antietam, 17 September 1862...she served both sides
for the Blue and the Gray...she later started the International Red
Cross...

My SWMBETTE is 15 and she writes plays poetry (as does her neo-galoot
dad) and plays fullback in soccer...and can easily kick a 65 yarder
without a strain...an honors recognized learner, too...

My dad was a master craftsman cabinetmaker, helped in the building of
Blue Ridge Parkway by the CC Corps, served in the US Army as a ferrier
(last duty station was Fort Meyer,, 3rd Infantry "Old Guard) and walked
the Tomb of the Unknowns. After his army stint, he accepted
apprenticeship in civilian Navy service originally as a shipfitter...he
finished this apprenticeship in 9 months (a 3 year journey) and worked
with his tools during WWII on wooden hulled boats (minesweepers)...he
died in 1973, and I have his woodworking tools...

The English translation of our family name is "Peterson"; and it means
the Son of Peter, and the bloodline goes back to Peter of the New
Testament...

I haven't built a thing out of the wood, yet...but I remember a host of
things from my dad...his work as well as a letter from him two weeks
before his death ended up being driving forces for my dissertation
research on Master Craftsmanship in the Health Technologies
Professions...I often recall the ease at which a master craftsman
works...my mom called this grace...

The first thing I remember doing with my dad at the pleasant age of 5.5,
was 'assisting' him rip 3/4 white pine...and the first time on that day
I touched his Disston saw...and I did pretty good...even though I would
waver some...but with the touch of Dad's hand on mine...the straight
line was no problem...

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your threads...

Joe D.



Recent Bios FAQ