Boeing's longest-serving employee marks 75 years at company

Charlie Tapper, 96, became the longest-serving employee in Boeing's history last month, according to the company. He joined Boeing in 1951, a week after earning a mechanical engineering degree from Oregon State University, then Oregon State College. Boeing was developing the B-52 Stratofortress at the time and had not yet built the 707, which helped usher in the Jet Age.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg said Tapper, who has no plans to retire soon, has set a record that may never be broken. Diana Rhea held the previous record. She spent 75 years with Boeing before retiring in 2017 and died at 96 in 2018.

Tapper contributed to a range of Boeing programs over his career. He worked on the LGM-30 Minuteman missile system, supported the X-20 Dyna-Soar spaceplane program before its cancellation, and tested the first automatically deploying escape slides on the 747. For the last 15 years, he has worked in government property management within Boeing's defense, space, and security division.

Boeing's chief engineer, Howard McKenzie, congratulated Tapper on LinkedIn, noting his lifelong commitment to engineering and innovation. Tapper said he has enjoyed the journey and wished he had another 100 years at the forefront of technology. He is also a former U.S. Naval aviator.