Christel (Vea) Reynolds
Life
After High School, I went to school at Washington State University (WSU) in Pullman, WA. I graduated in 1983 with B.S. degrees in Biology and Psychology. I graduated to no job since PNNL had budget cuts that year & neglected to inform me that the job I had won before my Sr. yr. of school, had been cut. I worked in the Tri-Cities, modeled in Seattle; and eventually returned to WSU to obtain a B.A. in Secondary Education. I taught Middle and High School Science & Mathematics, while attending WSU Tri-Cities at night to become an Electrical Engineer. During this time I received a high honor from President Reagan for helping some law enforcement agents. I went to work for Westinghouse Hanford Co. in 1990, met my husband Robert (Bob) Ellis (RHS class of '81) in July of 1990. We married on November 9th of 1991. I was rapidly promoted into management at Hanford, and after a few years and reorgs at Westinghouse, I worked as a Design Engineer at the Plutonium Finishing Plant (the only female engineer at the plant for quite some time); and then as the Configuration Management Lead for Lockheed Martin Services (LMSI).
Our two sons, Jacob and Noah, were both born in Richland at Kadlec Medical Center. Bob and I were recruited away from LMSI to an international consulting firm in Bellevue, WA in August of 1999. We moved to Renton, WA and went to work for DMR Consulting which became Fujitsu Consulting, after Fujitsu bought our firm's parent company. During that time we had our daughter Sarah (March 2001); and I was diagnosed with breast cancer the month after her birth. Although I am now disabled due to chronic pain from the chemotherapy to destroy the cancer, I live daily with no pain medications. I am cancer free thanks to God and to my good doctors at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) and the U. of WA Medical Center (UWMC).
My father, Major General Matthew J. Vea, US Army Air Corps, WWII, died in August of 2002 (89 yrs old) after 3 yrs of being in a nursing home after a major stroke. Bob died suddenly in his sleep on May 24, 2005, from a silent heart attack (41 yrs old...too young).
My mother gave me the home that she had designed and my family had built in the 1960s. I had the place gutted, totally redesigned and renovated, and expanded. I moved my family back to West Richland, from Renton In January of 2006. We live in a brand new 4700 square foot home on the old view lot in West Richland. It seems odd to own my childhood home, but I have a place in which to raise my children happily.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude in July 2006 with a Doctor of Science degree in Information Technology and Systems Engineering. I had previously been granted a Ph.D. in Management Consulting, another 3 in different areas of Electrical Engineering (general, control systems and a unique blending of AI/man-machine interface), while we lived in Renton. My brothers jokingly call me the "human thermometer"... to quote my brothers, "more degrees than a body should have. All this and you were a Homecoming Queen and model?...Not too bad sis."
I am attempting to begin my own Engineering/Software Consulting Firm. So, I am now the CEO and Principle Consultant of Applied Engineering Ventures, Inc. (AEV, Inc.)...the name is in honor of my parents (maiden name spelled backwards).
My mother, Ethelyne H. Vea is the first female Aeronautical Engineer in the USA and my father the Major General, resigned his commission after WWII and went to school on the GI Bill to become a Mechanical Engineer in civilian life. So, my 3 older brothers are all engineers as well. My eldest brother, Matt is an EE (like me) and lives near Dallas; Henry was a Nuclear Engineer prior to attending UW Medical School & is now a Radiologist at Good Samaritan Hospital in Portland; and my bother Lynn is a Material Scientist (Metallurgical Engineer) and works as the Quality Department Chair for a steel mill in the Midwest.
Thanks to God, and the internet I suppose, I am now married to a wonderful man who my children, each individually, proposed to about a month into dating him...."Will you marry my Mom and be my new Dad?" Joe Reynolds (Saint Helens HS class of '77) is a Professional Photographer/Artist, Physicist/Geomorphologist. Joe was also a Special Forces Sniper SRT Team member (Air Force Commando and Army Green beret...served in both branches)...he was the all-time number one honor graduate in many of his training schools from basic training and on from there. He used to own Northlight Studios and the Crystal Rose Floral shops in the Tri-Cities. He is the wonderful man I should have met earlier as he moved here in the early '80's when I was single too. We are beginning our own photo studio and are enjoying life together very much.
As a cancer survivor, and a one-time widow, I know how precious life is and hope that all is well with you. I have thought of my former classmates (and teachers) at Hanford High many times over the years and cherish our friendships. I've prayed for all of you over the years, that God might touch your lives and keep you well, safe, learning and growing. I hope that you will drop me a line once you read my profile. I'd love to hear from you! May God bless you and keep you.
Christel
You may contact Christel at:
reynolds@hanford78.com
My 1978 Hanford High School senior photo
Wedding Day - 07/07/07 -- Lucky, wonderful day! ;-)
My mother, Matron-of-honor Leslie (Homi) Moss, me, Joe, his mother Rosie, his father/Best man Clyde, Joe's Grandmother Jenny, and down front: Ring bearer Noah (9), Flowergirl Sarah (6), and Groomsman Jacob (11). The kids gave me away which is appropriate since they proposed to Joe.
Jacob, Noah & Sarah Ellis
All 3 kids going for a slide in Texas at my brother's house.
Sarah Jessica Ellis, our youngest child, born 03/13/2001
This is my daughter, Sarah or "mini-Chrissy" as my friends in Seattle all called her. She is playing in the yard at my brother's house in Texas in this picture.
Noah Christopher Ellis, our middle child, born 12/25/1997
Noah doing yard work at my brother's home in Texas.
Jacob Franklin Ellis, my eldest son, born 01/10/1996
Jacob doing yard work at my brother's home in Texas.
My late husband, Robert George Ellis, RHS class of '81
Bob and I were married 11/09/1991. He was my best friend and truest love. He died on May 24, 2005 from a silent heart attack in his sleep, at the all too young age of 41. I brought him home to Richland to bury him. I will always love him.
My Wedding Day in 1991
My parents and my 3 older brothers with me. My father, the Major General, died in 2002.
Lifeguarding during college
30 Year Reunion
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Me, Maury Valett
30 Year Reunion
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My husband Joe Reynolds.
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Joe again, in a typical pose.