Background
Prater, Ronald F. was born on October 11, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Carroll E. and Selma D. (Funk) Prater.
Career officer Aerospace engineer
Prater, Ronald F. was born on October 11, 1934 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Carroll E. and Selma D. (Funk) Prater.
Bachelor in Physics, Grinnell College, 1956. Master of Science in Applied Physics, University of California at Los Angeles, 1958. Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, 1970.
Engineer, Hughes Aircraft Company, Culver City, California, 1956-1958; second in command Lieutenant, United States Air Force, 1956; advanced through grades to colonel, United States Air Force, 1979; retired, 1984; project officer Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirkland Air Force Base, N. Mexico, 1958-1965; research scientist Air Force Materials Laboratory, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio., 1967-1972; branch chief Air Force Weapons Laboratory, Kirkland Air Force Base, N. Mexico, 1972-1978; program manager, Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Arlington, Virginia, 1978-1984; retired, United States Air Force, 1984; director, Business Development Manager International, Tysons Corner, Virginia, 1984-1985; senior systems engineer, W.J. Schafer Association, Inc., Arlington, Virginia, 1985-1992; retired, W.J. Schafer Association, Inc., 1992.
Computer instructor United Community Ministries, Alexandria, Virginia, 1995-1997. Computer administrator Aldersgate United Methodist Church, Alexandria, since 1995. Member International Society for Optical Engineering, Optical Society of America (secretary national capital section), Stratford Landing Citizen's Association (treasurer since 1996).
Son of Carroll E. and Selma D. (Funk) P. M. Ellen Faye Wilson, August 25, 1956. Children: Richard E., Elizabeth P. Oligmueller, Ronald C.