Filiberto Manzanilla and Laura Rothrock

Recorded June 23, 2013 Archived June 23, 2013 41:16 minutes
0:00 / 0:00
Id: sfb002379

Description

Subject Log / Time Code

F on achieving his childhood dream of becoming an engineer, after coming to the U.S. from Mexico in 1951, and attending Cal Poly then San Jose State University.
F on quickly being promoted in the engineering field through his work for major companies in Silicon Valley.

Participants

  • Filiberto Manzanilla
  • Laura Rothrock

Recording Locations

CJM

Venue / Recording Kit


Transcript

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00:02 So I am Laura Manzanilla. I am 52 years old. Today is June 23rd 2013 and I'm at the store ecard recording booth in San Francisco here with my father to record some interesting highlights of his life.

00:19 That's my turn. My name is for the red felt the need by age is almost 80 pretty soon next one in August and today's date is

00:31 June 23rd of 9th 2013 the location is my daughter just mention story corpse in San Francisco and my relationship to this Partners. I'm here father. Yeah, you're my dad and I've always been really admired admired you and some of the things that you've accomplished in your life and I just wanted to take this time to actually talk to you about some of those things. So you were born in Guaymas Mexico in 1932, or was it 3383. So, you know a boy in the he go did you know what you wanted to do when you were young young guy growing up?

01:14 Yes, I can lie. I always have my goal and stayed up for myself since I was a kid that thing Thursday to take some correspondence courses when I was before I came to the United States in the in electronics and then when I came up here eventually they went to call this in the ira coming up vs. EE and you working I worked.

01:47 And that the

01:49 Profession for years. I don't know. That's what you were asking for the same company and I finally retired about the most.

02:08 I don't know. I think it was I was interested in seeing that that I could make with my hands to begin with they know and and things that I could inspect and try to see how they work. That's what steer me into the engineering. I also have had a very

02:31 I think I did have a very easy understanding of mathematics. I could have had a mathematics degree and probably worked as a mathematician when I finally finished my studies about the engineering and electronics rest of my life my first desire.

02:52 That's awesome. Can you hum? Can you tell me all about the first time you came to the states in 1951? I think.

03:03 And I went to Sacramento with my relatives in Sacramento. Sponsor me in the they held me to emigrate.

03:13 I can host an immigrant that's a permanent resident and I stayed with him for about a year. But since I was only about Seventeen and the Korean war was going strong inaturalist has signed up for the draft and I was drafted in a year and I had to go and serve. I was given the choice of either going to serve in the army or going back to my country So I says I was young and in Adventures and strong and happy and and I decided to go ahead and help these people defend themselves. So I decided to go in the army. Are you in when I first went through basic training in the Fort Ord California and after 4 weeks. I went to Fort Lewis, Washington Army.

04:12 Infantryman and I went to Korea but then I was switched with artillery.

04:19 Wait a second division of infantry in the supporting David rain, and I was in artillery because I was sent to a school radar School in Oklahoma.

04:33 To help their artillery and then they feel when I finally graduated from the school and I went back to Gloria. So I was that's why I spend my two years. Did you see me? You had great math skills. So I guess they're to Arriba's up a really kind of good real good fit for you to help us the United States because at the time I wasn't even a citizen before I got out of the service at the colonel told me to go to worry about you, you know, this is about as soon as you get out of here.

05:13 Go to the immigration office procedure honorable discharge papers and then immediately what makes you a citizen. They told me the Lord has just expired a month ago. I sent you that you have to wait 6 years to be a Citizen Eco Citizen right away when I get out of service cuz I wanted to get a job as a technician and date of the Air Force Base in Sacramento. And then they told me as soon as you get your citizenship papers just go to immigration and come back and get out of jail. For sure from the Army and I went to school to Junior College in Sacramento. That's where you met mom.

06:13 San Luis Obispo to studying so I can get in college with the intention of going to the University of california-berkeley, but some of the other way is there an engine and tell me if you send me some bits for the couple he is more practical you get I get out of there and in a hurry, but if he well that's what I want to do. So I went down there but if you're not the real update us on such a good idea because he transferred to San Jose State where I will be as bubbly as a state and that's like here now in them. Now what what's know now is a Silicon Valley, but then it was really big on engineering as well. Write you a note up.

07:13 The reason I was very good very proud to be studying there and they are some good good instructors. I also worked in the industry here in that time. Just as Silicon Valley was beginning to be a big force in this area. This transistor has just been discovered and ended in Aldi on the electronic 7 to do with the computer started running. So Doug Banks seconds is probably know your first your first job and and and working in the engineering field Krista. And then I found out that your mom was expecting I said, I'm going to have to find a job and I

08:13 Take some tests to work for civil service. And in the air in the thing that you have a vacation who like Christmas and stairs and I different choices to go and work and one of us over here in phone cord that is unable to raise their and I went up there with the head and the weather was a student trainee. That was my first job. What's up possible engineer and they was worried need very instructive very helpful because all the people there wherever you help fund a nice and they told me a little things that I didn't know that so then finally I decided to quit and came back to San Jose and then I decided to go and find a job with ignition while I was still studying now, that's when I

09:08 I went to the first I went to NASA with your Mountain View because I was still in the Civil Service and students training and they think they got me right away about seven different manager wanted me to work for me, but I got one job and they had a good chance to study to go to school and work and then transferred through because they offered me a job outside the ignition and night shift and was paying more so and I start to work nights and I was still studying the remedies to have a class at 7 in the morning is to work from 4 to midnight and then I go home and try to get some sleep get up in the morning to go to the school and then come back after about 2 and 1/2 or need to go back to work eventually made it.

10:05 This company finally promoted when I got my degree before I got my niggaa promoted to engineer Junior engineer.

10:14 So after that, I stay there for the 33 years.

10:19 Indifferent

10:21 Division of the company is so big that has different divisions with contracts with the government hear it and they had got contrast of the air for the Navy when the Army and they were there. They had a big the biggest the sexual and they build a big bombs are going to submarine the book The Summer and that was enough for the Navy then I went to the to the Air Force and I went last time I was with a section with NASA with satellites. It was really interesting because I really enjoy one. I was looking forward to go to work like whether people out here. Are you say home? I hate my job to work very excited.

11:19 But that's just the way it happened the problem I guess is you're going to ask me why the questions at the beginning.

11:35 He was very noticeable. A couple of minutes. So big was still back in the 70s and 60s early. So I don't know you want me to do that through mesh there in the in the eventually re-establish of minorities hourly hourly fee for under $1 in professional there. Yeah, let me decide to get together with you eat peanut butter.

12:35 No Label at work you were doing you had that different they investigated you the FBI background and they give you a clear I hit a head up, the top secret clearance try to be very careful.

12:57 Troops, I mean the workers employees started to notice. There was a lot of wrongdoings by the company even with the company is obligated because of the coasters with the government buy a law that has to comply with certain requirements that the government princess. They hit their government would send an inspector every year every 6 months to see the different things were going to play with that for you said they were minorities a certain different roof. And even though they're qualified to go to this job. They would be paid of eventually the same that the women were also very badly discriminated and they are in any way to start off a branch of rain Cahoots with the company that ministration we discover that the way so as long as I surely we are going to stand with your rentals and

13:55 But a few Native Americans and and oh, yeah.

14:01 They put the company on the spot because he wouldn't comply with these things and we decide where we have to go to the cross.

14:20 Well, yeah, in fact before I can while I'm looking at a minority female Coalition that a company.

14:43 Is the card over the state as a corporation and it was the purpose of us to vent for the betterment of the miners in the females. But as far as the days that I can recall him right on right on 5th.

15:03 And the 80s

15:07 They're all they're all recorded the company finally we decided on the basis of violations to the to the Equal Opportunity young attorneys that represent to this it it lasted about three or four years until we finally went to court.

15:39 In the company, of course with all this power and all these attorneys for opening never agree that the scepter that they were in violation, but they agreed to a 7-Day go to send degree their consent decree. The federal courts, the governor They didn't accept the promise to him seven years.

16:21 If if they didn't have enough Personnel in the minority female that require further review studies enough to qualify them than that when they were qualify to get in this position. And also if we wanted some positions of high-level night manager anyway little things. Also prayed ucation is supposed to be the company was supposed to be so you got the need to comply with the seven years. They were six months ago. So even back then in Texas for them after the same years.

17:16 Unfortunately, they federal judges Republican appointees didn't get them to get another trial and did you ever I mean it's pretty gutsy to go out and stand up for what you know you Sears is issues within a company and that you're working Bridge ever. Will you ever concerned that you lose your job because of you know, being a part of that movement and let those days were there on the worst thing that could have done because the guys in the Coalition there were some that were already supervisors and they were in person and they got to get it.

18:04 And they made a study in those days. Supposedly. I was wondering if it was 1% all in the whole nation or Engineers Mexico no era in my classroom and electrical engineering and and and anyway, it was mostly because apparently trying to see that I can stay away from the well in a Cross Island stop there every cuz there was also move in with all the engineers.

18:52 American they were trying to organize button company in Los Angeles or the same day Rancho Los Angeles. They hit a union if I were used to have some of those people, so I thought they're going to go with that. I used to go have some fun with you and big building. They The Fast and Loud this layers.

19:24 And the Navy say another side of me Rosewood come lay down with getting off that move investors row how I they never say never and never got I got hold of because the company started her new Young Engineers is Young and you're the one I want to get involved because the press in little women that get thick a chance of getting fire, but I wasn't that could have been

19:57 Fired or laid off for a little bit, but the problem is that since I was already involved in the knowledge of my name of my Fresno public record. You could be good if you could have been considered retaliation in Los Gatos, CA events, and I don't know what would have happened but I still would have enjoyed my work because I was like word was supposed to be paid compared to the other end.

20:46 33 years retired from there. That's amazing.

20:54 32 from that I said, but 9419 and 35 94-95 everything also sounds like that experience was kind of uniquely American it seem like yeah. Yeah you ran into challenges but you use the system and he used to know the freedom to actually put your case forward and and you know change things.

21:26 Even though it wasn't a group I didn't have to be reporting back to do my work individually and in the producer, you know part of your project, the best accomplishments that I like and I still think about it's a work on the Hubble Space Telescope Florida for the shut up on the space shuttle. It was in a big lab for about three nights. I was there by myself with a technician. Make it stop this Sunday and I have a I have been since I've had a lot of that is there every 15 minutes and Daenerys to wear these these two companies Susan what I had and shoes in this because they don't want to play.

22:26 78037 space but I enjoyed that used to come up there and open up with the wings light on it. Does the communications supposed to be?

22:46 All we know your security clearance. But in the meantime when you working when you do not work later by the time those projects at the rewrite careful.

23:10 What the delivery custody security service?

23:22 At what point did it get better in terms of being a minority representation of when the company decided to go for this consent decree a thing start to get better and then funny thing about I love to find the women were not even really do much without but they're the ones that really what what why we play with you and the and Willie was good because you know, he helped them to and then we said if you have that in some of the buildings said the company

24:22 He was good for everybody and

24:26 But it was a fight then there was you join the Elks and you did some stuff at the elbow before I retired. I never drink too much soda. But this guy from work before he retired. He told me he joined this group of us do one little functions. Are there any must have been there all because he was a Mexican singer Lisa 1101, Chicago

25:26 So I went to the library on a look. Look them up and I like what I thought I already know. It's really have an official organization that help to help people in Maine need if they have different programs. They finally decide. Well I join

25:53 And in so tight I join us. To go to the Mirror by then realized it is a good to help in different crosses and and I got into the office and scored another fact of it for all this time. And then finally when I got there I retired I said to slow down. I haven't been there too often about other guys from there. Also reminding me about the Dorothy.

26:30 I joined the American Legion story understand. Sorry. I love you. And then that way there must be a lower-level day Alpha means because

26:53 Well there we thought they have money and leave another still working anyway.

27:10 But the that's about the size of it though. I didn't tell you when I got I got I got to my wife gave me four beautiful. Daughters are all of them down there. Although I'll send you something that didn't last and then I got married again. I finally got rid of this last time.

27:43 But this guy from Guaymas in and see if you're not that she knows a lot of people on there that I know and she's also do I we still have them there and we decided to build that place down there. And so we go there every once in a while and we'll have to you if it doesn't sound like you're slowing down at all. So so when I think about it, I think I am and I think of you as retired, but like you said you just you know, everything's just starting a new now. You just you're going down to Mexico you're talking about writing your Memoirs. You know, what are you or would you still like to accomplish? It sounds like you've accomplished so much.

28:29 Love this song

28:31 Is opening a gallery they think I found sometimes in a computer with a and I didn't know they were available in the internet I get home amazed about how much information is available in the day. I did think before I used to go to the library still looking for things nice find them. They're all in there and they and the internet and Norris coming on.

29:16 So I don't know as far as working something that I say maybe yet. I find a job. I feel why should I find that job with lift and that I the one that I let I love so much they sell people that is to say I'm going to retire so I can actually read it. I was thinking about that from Spanish to English lately. I was thinking about three little girls that are affecting his granddaughter.

30:03 And don't think I'm going to this time we going to go down there. I'm going to see if I can teach him how to check play chess pieces e and that the patient had to have to move the pieces and maybe some strategy like the hood. I remember you trying to teach me and I learn how to move the pieces. I don't know anything about the strategy, but I'm on the creative Side Story.

30:43 Did you know about what was going on when like when the lawsuit without no, we we heard about it later. We heard that the way we had heard it growing up with that. We heard that you had said that they had tried to let you go from your job and fire you when you let you go even though there were you are more senior and Inns qualified than other individuals that they weren't letting go so that was what we understood to be kind of helps bring the whole issue of wrongful termination and the whole movement took kind of Open the Eyes everybody's saying that they're not really doing this right there really kind of doing it old super old school, but that was during the whole of her Man of Action movement. And then I remember must have been 89 I had a friend I was living in shared housing in a friend hollered upstairs to me to Laura's is your dad in the paper and I was thinking which he talking about and I came down and and hear the Mercury.

31:43 Is it covered the 30-year anniversary of that movement that that whole effort that you and and the rest of the individuals in that organization? It had accomplished and that's really where I ended up learning about what it is you had done and I kept thinking. Wow, you know, your job is always a mystery. We knew you were an engineer. We knew you worked for, you know that company and but will you can never tell us what projects you worked on and I guess that's part of that whole security clearance thing. So do us, you know, you you know, he lives in you worked in this magical place and then it all just realized it wasn't all that magical when it came down to having really fight for people just acknowledging the fact that you're talented and skilled and and should be promoted and should be given you notice the basic rights of everybody else has given, you know, and that was kind of an eye-opener when I read that article. So I just it's reaffirm to me that you're pretty amazing person cuz we never knew that you never showed it, you know.

32:43 They are some holidays. They the companies had this program where they selected six people to put them into training for Super 8. Richland Administration is the hiring this pick me up or what. Why am I me I am an engineer. I don't want to get in any way to three months and so strong and remind me at the end of selected. You can overnight throw them out though. I'm back with my department. I said, well we had to FedEx. I install a Westin notary guy getting close to retirement.

33:43 For you

33:50 Yeah, I would I thought I had it but then I didn't want anyway.

33:58 What it is, it's a bigger picture question. But this what it it mean to you or not. Looking back on your career that here you had this dream as a kid to be an engineer and that that you realize that the only thing that I I I didn't come please I want it I want it to do because I start to work in robotics. I wanted to rub of Earth. I wanted to build and design and build a robot and never got a chance to be individually love that the scientific kind of space race are that you you worked it in London, right and it's because I was supposed to go to how the robot start to work as a years ago.

34:55 But I feel satisfied.

35:06 Well, you probably know what it means that I hope it is motivated some of the people that to get into that because I couldn't see it when he came in Iran faces in the projects.

35:33 Not meaning that many of our people have been Adele's latest. I didn't see many you told me that you had a couple of friends in college that were Latino or a really brilliant a chemist. And where am I?

35:58 Studies about that but I don't know why I didn't come.

36:08 Is it it is sin livius an easy fast before this put it that way after midnight and do my homework first state is the next morning at seven it in the winter. He was even worse because

36:30 Brother brothers, you know, you have to have a purpose just face it in any and then stick with it.

36:42 Yeah, there's a lot of forces against you. I mean it is I think this country offers a lot of opportunity and I've always believed, you know, you can do you can be anything that you have a dream and it desire to be it just might take a lot of work and do you have to be willing not to give up especially when you have obstacles like ignorance and racism or anytime in justices. So to me, you've always been an example of that. Well, that's also the thing that I'm proud of you girls should be able to at least take advantage of the opportunities are given here and then you can make yourself but your servant night night. I don't know even when I was going to collect a lot of people.

37:24 It is just another day another scholarship mean offering another country go without even any takers and them and I think that that's a testament to see you as an example. So so I really thank you Dad for you no coming in and talking about all these things and helping us to to keep a attitude in our memory now, we'll have a little coffee out here come out.

38:11 Explain in the book, you know about the

38:16 That's why I'm encouraging you when you're lying by that pool in San Carlos.

38:21 IPad or handwrite it out a little I used to give a reward. She they did that. They worked fine until seac keep some candies in my destiny.

38:46 Circus peanuts are not a good reward for a really heavy math problem. But you know and it's that commitment to wanting people to succeed. They're really kind of I think it helps make it makes a difference though.

39:07 It was wonderful, especially since I knew that I had Bartow it's in the end it developed in Florida and over there to put on that shuttle in and all that was pretty amazing and I'm trying to get up by a telescope when they went to the shopping. This guy was talking about the he was in and then she told him I could always evolving Tennessee touch you can we touch your van you touch the Humboldt. It was a brush with Fame and wonder

40:06 Before they started to develop other telescope that some of them are based on different different concept like x-rays or whatever you want to steal. It was still sending a good picture of some way out there. If it's the first child has been made a mistake with the lands. They had to send the shuttle to go and take them inside for the new event.

40:43 Pretty amazing stuff

40:48 Well, I've you know, like I said, I'm just pretty amazed at some of the stuff that you've been able to accomplish dad and I'm hoping that maybe this year will get down to San Carlos and visit you and your vacation home.

41:03 Well, yeah, they will be there any time you spend some off time. You can tell me more.

41:08 Good. I hope we can do it. Thanks.