John M. Ferguson Jr., chief estimator in the estimating department of Bethlehem Steel Corporation's Baltimore yard, has retired after 34 years of service, it was announced by Milton H. Leubecker, general manager.
Following a summer at sea as an oiler on a passenger ship, Mr. Ferguson worked for five years in the outside machine department of Newport News Shipbuilding and Dry Dock Company. He entered the U.S. merchant marine in 1940, served during World War II, attaining the position of chief engineer. Following the war in 1945, he was named an assistant general foreman when he joined the estimating department of Bethlehem's Baltimore yard.
He served for a short period as a ship supervisor manager before becoming an estimator in 1947. Mr. Ferguson was named a technical assistant in estimating in 1969, assistant chief estimator in 1974, and chief estimator in 1976.