Charlie Tapper marked 75 years with The Boeing Company in June, and he became the longest-serving employee in company history on Aug. 2.
Tapper’s milestone celebration included a memorable flight aboard a Boeing P-8A Poseidon, a fitting tribute for the former U.S. Navy naval aviator who served four years of active duty and 35 years in the Naval Reserve.
During the Cold War, Tapper piloted Lockheed EC-121 Warning Star aircraft on the Distant Early Warning Line (DEW Line) system of radar stations across the Arctic aimed at detecting and defending against threats. While stationed at Barbers Point, Hawaii, he also flew antisubmarine warfare planes, including the Lockheed P-2 Neptune and P-3 Orion, and took part in the final American nuclear tests in the South Pacific.
For Tapper, that history made the P-8A flight particularly meaningful. Seated in the jump seat behind the pilot, Tapper was struck by the aircraft’s advanced digital instruments and sophisticated controls. “It was like living a dream, like living in the future,” he said. “The pilot was cordial and friendly, showed me the plane’s features, and I was asking all kinds of questions. I felt like I was a member of the crew. I’d fly with them anywhere.”
Tapper praised the P-8’s safety and efficiency, noting it took off like a commercial airplane. “It was a really fun trip. I got a lot of knowledge about the P-8.” He expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who made the flight possible, calling it “a fantastic day.”
In addition to the flight, Tapper celebrated his milestone with a dinner at the Museum of Flight, surrounded by family, friends and colleagues.
He joined Boeing just a week after graduating from Oregon State University (then Oregon State College) with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering.
“It’s been a long journey, and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it,” Tapper said.
Over his extensive career, Tapper has contributed to a wide range of Boeing 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. For the past 15 years, he has worked in Boeing Defense, Space & Security government property management, leveraging his engineering background to collaborate with engineers and stay connected to industry developments.
These experiences enriched the skills and perspectives he brings to his work every day. “I do give a damn for Boeing and I always have,” Tapper said.
Reflecting on his career, Tapper expressed pride in the challenges and opportunities he’s encountered and his patriotism for working at Boeing. He has no plans to retire. “I wish I had another 100 years to be at the forefront of technology,” he said.
His advice to employees: Always ask questions, no matter how simple they seem. Learn as much as you can, celebrate successes with your teammates, and always be a good teammate.
“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,” said Kelly Ortberg, Boeing president and CEO. “We appreciate everything that he’s done and will continue to do to represent our company.”
By Debbie Johnson
