Vol 3. Issue 29 / October 4, 2004

Snapshot:
Jay Rindler

Title: Security guard.

Duties: Staffing the Beckman Building front desk during the evening shift, 3:45 PM to 12:15 AM, which includes providing security for the building, acting as emergency operator and radio dispatcher, and monitoring numerous building systems, including freezers, ventilation, and alarms.

Started at Scripps Research: Rindler started at the old Scripps Research facilities on Prospect Street in downtown La Jolla in 1978. "Believe it or not, I answered a want ad."

Background: Born in East L.A. Served with the Navy at the tail end of the hostilities in Vietnam. Joined the Naval Reserve upon his return, at which time he also went into security.

Favorite Part of the Scripps Research Job: "Scripps is great! Where else can you work on a campus that overlooks a golf course that overlooks the ocean?"

Hidden Talents: Fluent Spanish.

Known For: Driving a 1969 green Volkswagen van with 476,000 miles on it. "I've put in three engines, three transmissions, and numerous wheels and sparkplugs. People recognize that van all over San Diego."

Community Service: Long-time chair of the Navy League's "Operation Welcome Home" Committee, in which he coordinates 70 to 100 volunteers to welcome returning military personnel. Together the volunteers provide refreshments, blow up balloons, shake hands, take care of children, and make signs for family members to mark the occasion when a ship, submarine, aircraft carrier, or plane returns. "I love it. There is nothing like watching someone's face light up when I make them a sign saying, "Welcome Home, Dad." I also appreciate the fact that I'm participating in a historic moment."

Other Interests: Cabinet-making, calligraphy, computers.

 

Send comments to: mikaono[at]scripps.edu

 

 

Security Guard Jay Rindler has worked at Scripps Research for 26 years. Photo by Kevin Fung.

 

 

 

 

Rindler is long-time chair of the Navy League's "Operation Welcome Home" Committee.