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Ben Abruzzo
Benjamin L. Abruzzo (June 9, 1930 – February 11, 1985) was an American balloonist and businessman who helped make Albuquerque, New Mexico, into an international ballooning center. He was part of the balloon crews that made the first Atlantic Ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle II and the first Pacific Ocean crossing by balloon in the Double Eagle V. Life Abruzzo was born in Rockford, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a BS in business administration in 1952 and commissioned as a lieutenant in the United States Air Force. Abruzzo was stationed at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico; adopting New Mexico as his home state after leaving military service in 1954. After working at Sandia Corporation, he became chairman and president of Alvarado Realty Company and started working with the local ski resort. Abruzzo became chairman and president of Sandia Peak Ski Company, Sandia Peak Tram Company, and Sandia Peak Utility Company. He also d ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a city in Winnebago County, Illinois, Winnebago and Ogle County, Illinois, Ogle counties in the U.S. state of Illinois. Located in far northern Illinois on the banks of the Rock River (Mississippi River tributary), Rock River, Rockford is the county seat, seat of Winnebago County. The population was 148,655 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making Rockford the List of municipalities in Illinois, fifth-most populous city in Illinois as well as the most populous outside the Chicago metropolitan area. It anchors the Rockford metropolitan area, Illinois, Rockford metropolitan area, which had 338,798 residents in 2020. Settled in the mid-1830s under the initial name of Midway, Rockford became strategic for industrial development, stemming from its location roughly equidistant between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River. During the second half of the 19th century, it became notable for its production of heavy machinery, hardware, and tools. At the beginning ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
