THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 21, 1996 TAG: 9604190257
SECTION: PORTSMOUTH CURRENTS PAGE: 04 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close Up
SOURCE: Phyllis Speidell
LENGTH: Medium: 85 lines
When Charles ``Chuck'' Boggs, 45, became supervisor of the infectious medical waste retort facility at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth recently, he was not only starting a new job, he was launching a whole new career.
After retiring from 22 years of law enforcement in the Navy, Boggs worked as a gardener at the Naval Medical Center.
``I wanted to go back to school and have always been interested in the environment,'' he said recently. ``I figured it was a coming thing.''
Three years ago, Boggs enrolled in the environmental protection program at Tidewater Community College, taking classes in Virginia Beach and in Portsmouth. He applied for other environmental jobs over the years but focused on his current position as his best career opportunity.
``This is a brand new facility,'' Boggs said, glancing around the large and brightly lit retort area, whose tall ceilings seemed to dwarf Boggs and his crew of four Navy crewmen and two civilians.
``I get a chance to set it up and do it right the first time - and that is exciting.''
The hospital used to incinerate its medical waste. But recently the Navy found a safer and more cost-effective system of disposal in sterilizing the waste material in huge steam autoclaves and then sending it to a landfill to be buried as solid waste.
Each week, the new, automated retort facility already handles about 6,000 pounds of regulated medical waste, including anatomical waste, syringes and some bedding. Boggs noted that the amount of waste handled will grow even larger when the new Naval Hospital is completed.
Besides his own perseverance and enthusiasm, Boggs credits TCC with giving him the training he needed.
``Here, we are governed by state and some federal regulations,'' he said. ``It is everything they taught at TCC.''
Name: Charles Glenn Boggs
Nickname: Chuck
Number of years in Portsmouth: I have been working here for three years.
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio
Occupation: Infectious medical waste supervisor, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth
What job other than your own would you like? Playing bass guitar with the Delbert McLinton Band.
Marital status: Married to my wonderful wife, Libby.
Children: Jennifer, 13, and Kimberly, 10.
Fondest childhood memory: Making friends and having that friendship last a lifetime.
First concert: The Beatles, 1964, Cincinnati.
What song or book title best describes your life? ``Life in the Fast Lane,'' by The Eagles.
If you won the lottery, what's the very first thing you'd buy? Probably a 30-day vacation cruise.
If you could trade places for just one day with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Cal Ripkin Jr., because he is totally dedicated to his profession and family, and because he is one heck of a ball player.
Biggest accomplishment: Honorably completing 22 years of naval service.
Most embarrassing moment: Sitting in a college class and taking a pop quiz, then later realizing that I was not enrolled in that particular class.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? To slow down and smell the roses.
Perfect way to spend the day: Morning: listening to some good blues. Afternoon: with my kids. Evening: with Libby and friends listening to the sounds of TFF (a local rock band).
I can't resist: Telling a joke.
Favorite Portsmouth restaurant: Scale `O De Whale.
Favorite Portsmouth hangout: Portside on Thursday nights.
Biggest problem facing Portsmouth: Tunnel traffic
If you had three wishes for Portsmouth, what would they be?
Prosper in their efforts to develop downtown Portsmouth.
Reduce crime.
Lure a professional sports team to our area.
Other than its small-town atmosphere, what do you like about living in Portsmouth? The people are friendly, and there is a large variety of things happening, particularly Portside in the summer. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MARK MITCHELL
by CNB