Ralph Goodman, builder of laboratories.

Abstract

Ralph had an extraordinarily successful career in building programs and laboratories. He started with an overall vision of what was to be built while determining the principle obstructions. He carefully avoided early details which would most often be overtaken by events. In addition, he was an eminent scientist whose acumen in a number of technical areas permitted him breadth of very constructive technical leadership. Besides a history of how Ralph got into underwater acoustics and his first major position in management, some personal anecdotes will be presented to emphasize how he successfully dealt with people and with some very difficult situations in this and subsequent undertakings.