Boeing Employee Hits Unprecedented 75-Year Milestone in Company History
Charlie Tapper marked a remarkable milestone in his career at The Boeing Company. With over 75 years of service, he became the longest-serving employee in company history on August 2. Born from a passion for engineering and a sense of patriotism, Tapper's dedication to Boeing is unwavering.
Tapper's journey began just one week after graduating from Oregon State University with a degree in mechanical engineering. Over his extensive career, he has contributed to various programs, including Minuteman development, X-20 Dyna-Soar support, and testing the 747's escape slides, the first automatically deploying slides on a commercial airplane.
The P-8A Poseidon flight was a fitting tribute for Tapper, who piloted Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star aircraft during the Cold War. Seated in the jump seat behind the pilot, he praised the aircraft's advanced digital instruments and sophisticated controls. The experience left him feeling like 'living a dream,' with 'the future' within reach.
Tapper has expressed no intention to retire, stating his desire to continue contributing at the forefront of technology. His advice to employees is to always ask questions, learn as much as possible, celebrate successes with teammates, and be good team players. Boeing President and CEO Kelly Ortberg commended Tapper's dedication, noting that 'since he has no plans of retiring anytime soon, Charlie's impressive career as our longest-serving employee is a record that may never be broken.'