COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation helps purchase CNC machine

COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation helps purchase CNC machine

by | Nov 1, 2025 | Community Connection, Newsletter, Vol1 No4 2025 Fall

A Heartfelt Thank You to the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation!

Student lesson materials needed to make a metal toolbox, a popular lesson sequence at Bendix Academy

Bendix Academy is thrilled, and deeply grateful, to share that the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation has awarded us $5,000 toward the purchase of a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machine.

This gift opens an exciting new chapter for our students and mentors alike, as we are now able to make our own parts lessons and materials. With this equipment on-site, students will gain direct experience in its operation, and mentors will be able to fabricate parts for projects and develop new lessons without relying on outside vendors.

The cost savings are substantial over either buying new parts or contracting to have another shop create them.

Metal toolbox – fully fabricated

Why the CNC Machine Matters

Students are endlessly curious about how things are made. Having the CNC machine on site helps answer that question when they see a need part designed digitally, and then come to life as it is made on the CNC. It helps them understand modern manufacturing in a hands-on, approachable way, and allows them to witness processes, and problems, if the design if off just a little.

After the part is completed by the machine, the student then sees how much finishing work can still be necessary, including modifying the shape, polishing, or shaving to meet tolerances. For many of the students, this may be their first real connection between the tools in their hands and the advanced technologies used in today’s industries.

Bendix Academy student, Zelie, is holding a toolbox composed of parts made by a CNC machine.

​A Gift That Helps Our Mentors Teach Even More

Our mentors, who are engineers, machinists, builders, and tinkerers, are excited to now have this in-house capability. Until now, if a project needed a special part, mentors had to improvise or borrow time on someone else’s equipment.

Soon, they’ll be able to:

  • Show students how a complex part is created from start to finish
  • Fabricate custom components for lessons and demonstrations
  • Take on more ambitious workshop projects
  • Say “yes” when a student imagines something bigger

Mentors working with Mat and other students to complete toolbox

This machine turns our workshop into a place where ideas meet capability—where both mentors and students can dream a little further.

From All of Us at Bendix Academy to Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation – Thank You!

To the Livingston Sunrise Rotary Foundation: your generosity is helping us give young people something priceless by furthering their opportunity to gain skills, curiosity, and the confidence to build their own future.

You’re helping us show kids how things work, how things are made, and how capable they truly are. We can’t wait to share the projects that will come from our new CNC machine.

Thank you for believing in our mission and in the power of hands-on learning!

Alistair showing pride of accomplishment with completed toolbox

Thank You LSRC for your support in providing Bendix Academy with this wonderful tool!

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COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Roger’s lifelong use of toolmanship skills

COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Roger’s lifelong use of toolmanship skills

by | Jun 25, 2025 | Community Connection, Newsletter, Vol1 No3 2025 Summer

Roger’s Journey: A Life in Toolmanship and Mentorship

Frances Ashley and his son Roger in front of their Farmall tractor – 1940s

At Bendix Academy, we know that toolmanship is more than turning wrenches—it’s a way of thinking, solving problems, and building a life with your own two hands.

Few people embody this ethos more than Roger Ashley, a longtime supporter of Bendix Academy and a lifelong “toolman” whose career spans from small-town farming to the space race, automotive safety, and back again to the heart of restoration and mentorship.

Bendix Academy’s Executive and Development Director, Wendy Zielen, recently sat down with Roger to hear his story. What emerged was a chronicle of hard work and craftsmanship as well as a living history of American ingenuity. Roger’s journey is an intriguing and powerful reminder of why toolmanship and mentoring the next generation both matter so deeply.

Early Roots: A Farm boy’s Introduction to Mechanics

Roger grew up on a 100-acre family farm just outside Flint, Michigan, near Lake Shannon. From a young age, life revolved around hard work, responsibility, and mechanical problem-solving. His father, who worked second shift at Baldwin Rubber Company, made sure the kids started their farm chores early. “We were milking 15 cows morning and night,” Roger recalls. “At first, it was by hand. Later, we had machines—but in the winter, if the electricity went out, we had to rig power using an old International truck just to keep milking going. There was no time to wait or complain—you figured it out.”

This early exposure to machines—from tractors and hay balers to makeshift generators—laid the foundation for a lifetime of toolmanship. It wasn’t just survival; it was education in real time.

Ashley kids on the farm:  Frances, Roger, Joseph, and Roy

“There were winters when snow would shut the roads down completely,” Roger recalled. “We’d have to haul the milk out to Route 23 by hand so it could be shipped. If the power went out, we’d fire up an old International truck to power the milking machines. There were too many cows to go back to milking by hand!”

Love, Land, and a Life Built by Hand

While Roger was growing up on the family farm, mastering machinery and milking cows before dawn, life wasn’t all chores and equipment. There was time for fishing in the creek out back, hunting in the woods, and playing football and baseball with school friends from Linden Schools.

Even then, toolmanship showed itself early—Roger recalls driving a 1/2-ton truck to school, not for show, but because it was the family’s way of getting things done. By the time he was a teenager, he was baling hay, planting grain and wheat, combining crops, and milking cows twice a day.

Those skills taught more than mechanical fluency—they built confidence and the ability to solve problems under pressure.

It’s this type of thinking—resourceful, resilient, and mechanically creative—that would shape every chapter of Roger’s life.

It was during those high school years that Roger met Mary, the girl who would become his wife, partner, and lifelong teammate. They met in 10th grade, fell in love, and married in 1959—ready to build a life together in every sense of the word.

Roger and Mary

A growing family demanded a growing house, built from the foundation up by Roger!

The newlyweds bought an acre of land, and Roger rolled up his sleeves. He built the foundation himself, moved a small house onto it, and over the years added room after room as their family grew. The skills Roger used to build his home weren’t learned in a classroom—they were forged from long hours on the McGuire Road farm.

“I did everything except install the first furnace,” Roger said.

With six children, three girls and three boys, there was plenty of need for space, and he made it happen the same way he always had: with his own hands, a clear head, and a lot of grit.

From the Family Farm to a Career in Motion…

Not long after getting married, Roger landed a job at the Ford dealership in Fenton. His deep knowledge of parts and systems—honed through necessity on the farm—set him apart.

“I didn’t think of it as a trade at the time,” he said. “But I knew what parts were, what they did, and how they worked together. That mattered.”

Roger’s success in Fenton led to a parts manager role at a Ford dealership in Flint, where he spent another six years gaining both technical and professional experience. With a growing family, a house he had built himself, and a rising career, Roger’s life was proof that practical skills could lay the foundation for financial stability and personal fulfillment.

…and Farm Tractors to Lunar Rovers!

Then came the opportunity that tied everything together: a position at Bendix Aerospace in Ann Arbor, helping track materials and parts for the Lunar Rover. It was a dream job, made possible not by degrees or test scores, but by Roger’s lived expertise in toolmanship.

In the 1960s, Roger joined the Bendix team tracking parts and materials for one of the most ambitious undertakings of the century: the Lunar Rover, or “Moon Buggy,” built for the Apollo missions.

“I was just a farm kid who liked machines,” Roger said. “Next thing I knew, I was helping track down the parts for a vehicle headed to the moon.”

Working at Bendix Aerospace – Roger in a space suit!

Bendix Aerospace Lunar Rover in test phase

This experience not only deepened Roger’s technical knowledge but gave him a sense of pride and purpose—proof that the mechanical skills he honed in his youth had real, global impact.

General Motors Safety Lab 1996-99

Automotive Safety and the General Motors Proving Grounds

After Bendix, Roger took a position at the GM Proving Grounds, where he spent the rest of his career. He worked in the safety testing lab, witnessing the evolution of crash test technology firsthand.

“Even with seatbelts on, dummies would go forward six inches in a crash. That taught me to always wear mine,” Roger said.

Roger witnessing first hand the evolution of crash test technology
Later, he moved into emissions testing, where he monitored vehicle performance under rigorous conditions. One incident he recalls vividly: a crash involving a test driver in a Corvette that delayed the release of the 1984 model by months. Roger also worked on early electric vehicle prototypes and vehicle handling tests, where the thrill of speed met the science of control.

Above: Roger working on emissions testing and early electric vehicle prototypes

“The 454 four-wheel-drive trucks could outperform some sports cars,” Roger laughed. “They rode better, too.”

Retirement Projects, Buried Treasures, and a Brotherly Bond

Roger may have officially retired from General Motors in 1999, but he never stopped working with his hands. Retirement simply meant he could return to his roots—mechanical restoration, farm life, and family history—at his own pace and on his own terms.

With the same energy and curiosity he brought to the proving grounds and emissions labs, Roger turned his attention to a new kind of project: restoring vintage Farmall tractors from the 1940s and 1950s, many of which had been sitting idle—some for decades—one the old family farm!

One project stands out. Deep in the fields where he had once planted hay and milked cows as a boy, Roger and his brother Roy unearthed a tractor that had been buried for more than 40 years. Rusted, weathered, and nearly forgotten, the machine was little more than a shell. But to Roger, it was a challenge—and a piece of family history worth saving.

“It wasn’t just about fixing the tractor,” Roger shared. “It was about bringing something back to life that had been part of our story.”

Roger painstakingly reconstructed the machine, using parts from other tractors he sourced or salvaged. He knew every nut, bolt, and bearing—and if he didn’t, he figured it out. Over time, that tractor became one of eight Farmall Hs Roger would restore, each one a tribute to mechanical ingenuity and the resilience of old machines—and the men who knew how to breathe life back into them.

His brother Roy, who had also inherited a deep love of machinery, shared in the joy of these projects. The two of them spent countless hours together in the shop and in the field, tinkering, troubleshooting, and triumphing, just as they had as boys. It was more than a hobby—it was a way to reconnect, not only with each other, but with the land and tools that had shaped them both.

Roger didn’t just fix tractors—he drove them to local shows, proudly showcasing the craftsmanship of a bygone era. Never on trailers, always on back roads—he avoided numbered state routes entirely.

“If you’re going to restore it, you ought to drive it,” Roger says with a grin.

Eventually, Roger joined a tractor club, where he found a community of like-minded enthusiasts. They shared techniques, swapped parts, and swapped stories. But over time, he noticed club membership beginning to dwindle. Many members aged out or passed on, and with them, decades of mechanical knowledge risked being lost.

This decline only deepened Roger’s commitment to mentoring and passing on what he knew. It was what first drew him to Bendix Academy—and it’s what keeps him involved to this day.

Tractor buried for 40 years on farm

Restored tractor awaiting new tires

Tractor completely restored!

Then and Now on the same farm road!

Above: Roger & Roy tractor time on Mackinaw Bridge
Below: Commemorative plaques for the brothers’ prized projects

From Bendix Aerospace to Bendix Academy

In 2015, Roger and two friends spotted a flyer about an effort to restore a B-25 bomber engine as part of the Warbirds of Glory Museum where a static model of the R-2800 engine was being rebuilt. Roger remains involved with the Sandbar Mitchell project, and also followed Todd Trainor’s mission when he founded Bendix Academy to focus on toolmanship mentoring. Roger felt immediately at home.

Since then, Roger has remained a devoted supporter of the Academy. Most recently, he donated a white Chevy Malibu to be used in the Academy’s automotive maintenance pathway—one of the most popular modules among students.

“The camaraderie reminded me of working on the farm, or the proving grounds,” Roger said. “You’re solving problems together, learning from each other.”

Above: Roger’s Malibu, donated for automotive maintenance lessons, on display during Bendix Academy Spring 2025 Open House

Roger’s passion for mentoring is personal. When one of his grandsons had the chance to work at Discount Tire, the job required knowing how to use an air wrench. Roger took the time to teach him—and that single lesson helped his grandson land the job and begin a steady climb upward.

Where can you find Roger today? 

Roger continues to enjoy toolmanship and tinkering, along with other fulfilling pursuits such as maple sugaring. Soft spoken but with obvious fortitude behind his quiet demeanor, Roger enjoys sharing his wealth of experience with others who are interested.

“Too many young people haven’t had the chance to use tools, to take things apart and fix them,” Roger says. “Phones and computers are great, but knowing how to do basic repairs and understand machines saves money, builds confidence, and gives you independence.”

Roger’s Advice to Students: Stay Curious, Stay Hands-On

When asked what advice he’d give to Bendix Academy students today, Roger doesn’t hesitate.

“Take advantage of every opportunity to work with your hands. Ask questions. Try things. And don’t be afraid to fail—that’s how you learn. I didn’t set out to work on space rovers or test Corvettes. I just kept learning. And when the opportunity came, I was ready.”

Toolmanship as a Legacy

Roger Ashley’s journey is more than a story of one man’s career—it’s a blueprint for how mechanical skills shape lives, families, communities, and even space exploration. At Bendix Academy, we value the generational knowledge of those with experience, and we believe that every young person deserves the chance to discover how they too can build, fix, and master. As long as we have role models like Roger in our midst, the legacy of toolmanship continues!

Bendix Academy thanks Roger Ashley for sharing his wealth of wisdom with our community!

Roger as he donated his meticulously cared-for Malibu to Bendix Academy for students to learn auto maintenance.

Mentors Matter! Make a Difference in Building the Future

Do you have toolmanship skills, and a desire to share them? At Bendix Academy, we believe hands-on toolmanship knowledge can change lives. As our program continues to grow, we’re seeking mentors who are passionate about restoring mechanical self-reliance in the next generation.

Whether you’re a seasoned tradesperson, engineer, dedicated DIYer, or simply someone who enjoys teaching and giving back, your experience can make a lasting impact. Our mentors guide students through real projects that build confidence, critical thinking, and the ability to solve problems with their own hands.

If you’re ready to make a difference—one tool, one lesson, one student at a time—we’d love to hear from you.

Interested in mentoring? We invite you to consider becoming a Bendix Academy Mentor!  Questions? Please contact us at toolmen@bendixacademy.org. 

 

Read more articles like this in the most recent edition of Toolman Tips, Bendix Academy's quarterly newsletter!

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Book Bendix Academy for Your Next Event

Bring the inspiring mission of Bendix Academy to your organization or group! Todd Trainor and Wendy Zielen offer engaging presentations on "Tomorrow's Toolment Today," blending stories of mentorship, mechanical skills, and community impact. Whether you’re reminiscing about shop class or exploring how to empower the next generation, their talks spark connections and inspire action. Perfect for schools, community groups, professional organizations, and more.

 

Contact us today to book your session and join the revival!

BOOK BENDIX ACADEMY TO PRESENT TO YOUR GROUP

COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Remember shop class?

COMMUNITY CONNECTION – Remember shop class?

by | Feb 14, 2025 | Community Connection, Newsletter, Vol1 No2 2025 Winter

Bendix Academy reviving toolmanship

Bendix shop and workbench

Do you remember shop class? The Fox Run Men’s Club sure did when Todd Trainor, Founder and Program Director, and Wendy Zielen visited them in November. Todd and Wendy shared the story of  how Bendix Academy is bringing back practical skills and mechanical self-reliance for today’s youth. Their presentation stirred fond memories of shop class among those assembled, who applauded the Academy’s efforts to prepare the next generation for skilled trades and self-sufficient living. These skills are becoming increasingly absent in today’s youth development.

 

 

Bendix Academy’s Purpose and Mission

Since its founding, Bendix Academy has been on a mission to instill mechanical skills and self-reliance in future generations, preparing them for careers in trades, maintenance, and engineering. Todd described this mission to the audience as a toolmanship revival. “We’re creating tomorrow’s toolmen today,” he told the audience, explaining how Bendix Academy’s programs equip students with hands-on experience and essential life skills.

For many in the room, the program’s lessons echoed skills they’d learned in their own youth, either in shop class or from family members. Wendy emphasized, “We’re not just teaching about how to use tools; we’re teaching other life skills that go along with gaining a new skill set, including respect and confidence.”

 

Why Toolmanship Education Matters

In an era where vocational education is declining and the demand for skilled tradesmanship is increasing, the need for skilled tradespeople has never been greater. Many young people today lack basic mechanical knowledge—an issue Bendix Academy aims to address. Todd acknowledged that toolmanship isn’t for everyone, but for those who are interested, “we’re here to provide it.”

Students come to Bendix Academy with a range of motivations. Some plan to pursue engineering or technology careers and want foundational hands-on experience. Others simply enjoy the independence of being able to fix household items or explore hobbies like maintaining a bicycle. No matter their goals, all students leave with valuable skills that build confidence and foster self-reliance.

A critical element of the program is its mentorship model, which bridges generational gaps. “The goal is for students to connect with mentors from a different generation,” Wendy explained. “At first, it can be intimidating, but it’s incredibly rewarding.” The bonds formed between mentors and students enrich both parties and highlight the community-focused vision of Bendix Academy.

 

 

 

 

Todd Trainor, Founder, Bendix Academy

“Toolmanship is the art and skill of using tools and becoming mechanically self-reliant.”  ~ Todd Trainor, Founder and Program Director

“We’re not just teaching tools; we’re teaching life skills, confidence, and respect.” ~ Wendy Zielen, Executive & Development Director

How Bendix Academy Teaches Toolmanship

Bendix Academy student learning car engine mechanics

Hands-On Learning

Bendix Academy’s lessons are designed to engage students in active, practical learning. The program focuses on core skills like tool use, mechanical concepts, and problem-solving. Students work on donated items like appliances and vehicles, gaining real-world experience while building confidence.

“It’s not just about fixing a bike or a lawnmower—it’s about showing kids they can learn and accomplish more than they thought possible,” Wendy said. Photos from the presentation showcased students tackling projects in plumbing, electrical work, automotive repair, woodworking, and more. Todd proudly remarked, “Our facility is eye candy for someone like me.”

Tolerances 1924 vs 2019
How far toolmanship has come in a century!

Mentorship: A One-on-One Approach

One of the program’s key strengths is its personalized mentorship model. Skilled volunteers work closely with students, sharing not only technical knowledge but also important life lessons. Todd explained, “We’re becoming a safe place for kids to ask questions—whether it’s ‘How hard do you torque that?’ or something deeper.”

Respect is a core value at Bendix Academy, extending from the tools and lessons to the mentors themselves. “The mentors take the time to work one-on-one with the kids,” Wendy shared. “In return, we teach the students to show respect—not just for the tools but for the people teaching them.”

Old-style wrenches showing evolution of toolmanship

The Broader Impact of Toolmanship

Career Preparation

For students interested in trades, maintenance, or engineering, Bendix Academy provides a head start. “If someone chooses trade school after high school, they’ll already have a foundation,” Todd explained. More importantly, the program helps students explore their interests early, allowing them to focus on what excites them—or even to rule out paths they don’t enjoy.

Life Skills and Confidence

Beyond career readiness, the Academy helps students overcome their fear of mechanical tasks. Wendy shared a relatable story: “I’ve always been afraid of breaking something when I try to fix it. We’re teaching kids that it’s okay to try—and even to fail—because that’s how you learn.”

Building Community

The Academy’s vision doesn’t stop at teaching students. Todd envisions expanding the program to adults, ex-prisoners re-entering society, and others who could benefit from mechanical skills. “This whole thing is designed to be replicated,” Todd said. “We’re programming it so we can lift it up and plop it down anywhere.” Wendy echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the broader impact: “These kids are learning not just for themselves, but to help their families, neighbors, and communities.”

A Future Filled with Toolmen

Bendix Academy is more than a vocational program—it’s a movement to revive self-reliance, craftsmanship, and community spirit. The Academy seeks support through mentorship, donations, and community involvement to expand its reach and replicate its success in other areas.

Todd closed the presentation with a heartfelt call to action: “The time is now to do this revival. Join us at the workbench—help us pass it on. We’re not just building skills; we’re building confidence, community, and a better future.”

Toolbox made by students in metal-work unit lessons

Book Bendix Academy for Your Next Event

Bring the inspiring mission of Bendix Academy to your organization or group! Todd Trainor and Wendy Zielen offer engaging presentations on “Tomorrow’s Toolment Today,” blending stories of mentorship, mechanical skills, and community impact. Whether you’re reminiscing about shop class or exploring how to empower the next generation, their talks spark connections and inspire action. Perfect for schools, community groups, professional organizations, and more.

 

Contact us today to book your session and join the revival!

BOOK BENDIX ACADEMY TO PRESENT TO YOUR GROUP

Read more articles like this in the most recent edition of Toolman Tips, Bendix Academy's quarterly newsletter!

Support Tomorrow's Toolmen TODAY
with as little as $5/month!

Just $5 / Month supports Tomorrow's Toolmen Today!

Enjoy these Toolman Times
regular columns!

 

Sign me up for Toolman Times Quarterly Newsletter!

Book Bendix Academy for Your Next Event

Bring the inspiring mission of Bendix Academy to your organization or group! Todd Trainor and Wendy Zielen offer engaging presentations on "Tomorrow's Toolment Today," blending stories of mentorship, mechanical skills, and community impact. Whether you’re reminiscing about shop class or exploring how to empower the next generation, their talks spark connections and inspire action. Perfect for schools, community groups, professional organizations, and more.

 

Contact us today to book your session and join the revival!

BOOK BENDIX ACADEMY TO PRESENT TO YOUR GROUP