Date men from United States / California / West Point, 71 year old

Date a man from United States. It's very difficult to try to describe myself and try to "sell the package", so to speak. In order for you to really assess my character & value, I would have to use more than 2000 characters to due so. I'll try to give you some of the highlights. I have been atheletic, softball, golf, watersports, ex-off road motorcycle rider/racer, sailed our Cal-30 off-shore sailer for years prior to my wifes ill-health. I'm a very loving, compasionate, trustful individual, who places the womans welfare, independence, happiness, opinions, above my needs without affecting our relationship or my own confidence/ego. After 42 years of marriage to the most wonderful woman, I find it quite difficult to open up and advertise who and what I am. I am not looking to "replace" my loving wife, my memories will always be with me. Prior to my wifes passing, she asked me not to crawl into a shell, but search and find another woman to give the same love and happiness that I had given her. I am of German-Dutch ancestery, am a very conservative republican, yet with an open mind. My wife and I attended our first protest, at the Capitol steps, in support of the Anti-MTBE campaign. On the lighter side, I love all forms of music, except rap. I have an electric guitar and dabble a bit, but only when I'm alone. I spent 32 years in aerospace management with Ford Aerospace-Loral Corp-Lockheed Martin. My last position held was as a Program Management Engineer. If I was ever given the "power" I would eliminate cancer, which took my wife, and alzhiemers, which took my father.When I first met my wife of 42 years, we had very little in common, however, we were very young. I have learned, over the years, to become quite mellow and there are very few traits to which I cannot adjust. Besides, I really don't believe in "fitting" someone into a given set of parameters. I sincerly hope we are both given the chance to "see" if we may be a match. Oh, by the way, I no longer have a beard. After 25 years, it's a bit awkward shaving again. Thank you, Bear...