Here's the consolidated efforts thus far.
I've got it set up in this case. Its quite open as far as enclosures go and it suits the form factor I had in mind.


RP 4, 4gb, Rasbian, updates  installed, created new super user and password, disabled pi,  I followed this tutorial exactly. https://www.maketecheasier.com/change-raspberry-pi-password/
Keyboard, mouse and the 4" screen connected, I ran /opt/vc/bin/vcgencmd measure_temp  and it idles at 46 degrees both with the screen on or off in ambient temp of ~22 degrees.
Tonight I'll try to get OpenVPN working as my first application.
 
Couple more questions while we're here if you don't mind.

*If I switch off the screen while running core, is that the same as running headless or should the screen be unplugged?

*Core is synced 45% after 2 full days, is 4-5 days typical to download and sync core?

*I noticed 2009-2015 synced rather quickly compared with later times. Is that because of increased transaction in the blocks?

Both Google and Apple are punching ATH's lately while Bitcoin does recoil accumulation pose.     FED"s gotta prop up those markets, GO TRUM... cough, choke....
This is the bubble that BTC hedges!

Clarifying some things:

* The Rpi 4 has been 100% stable during operation so far. The issues I had were during a boot with either a loop or "no signal" message.  It appears to be solved and it was likely due to a user problem (shutting down by pulling the power, corrupted boot loader).

* I'm using heatsinks on all 4 chips and the main CPU also has a small fan over it.  I'm certain there's no heat issues yet.  I'll look for a tool to measure the heat once it's up and running the blockchain and report my findings.

* I'm syncing the blockchain from my main computer to an external HD and it'll move to the RP once it's finished.  

Again, Thanks for your help and recommendations. Much appreciated
  

YW..
Full disclosure, Ludwig Von was very generous with a .01 BTC contribution well before receiving his package. The funds covered shipping and materials for everyone! Thanks bro, trust!

Did you wash yo pussy today?
 https://twitter.com/bruttafica/status/1192525001305546752

Edit:
Ok, I do realize you may have put some effort forth recently and I appreciate that.  I dunno, just thought of you when I saw this.

Not one vote for 2023 so far,  uh oh... guess when the new ATH is coming
Nah,I don't really believe that, late 2020 to mid 2021 is where it looks logical to me but I also know that BTC just loves to cuck the hell out of the logical plebs.  
Voted early 2021 although I've been sampling some new hopium recently that would like to suggest well before the halving. 

Yobit has an airdrop in a few days. Not sure what it'll be and not even really that curious. Saw this thread just after seeing the email from yobit. https://yobit.net/en/airdrop/timer/

So much fail.   That's not even Bitcoin's shitcoin. That's Bitcoin's shitcoin's shitcoin. You are in the wrong thread, this one is reserved for tracking BTC but you know that. aaaaaaaaaannnnd ignore!

What kind of rabbit hole has our dear @filbfilb gotten himself stuck in?  Hacked, legit, no KYC? Hmmm.....

https://twitter.com/filbfilb/status/1192490581311868929

Thanks, I found this guide which addressed both sudo user group accounts and the updates, also disabling pi sign in.https://www.maketecheasier.com/change-raspberry-pi-password/

So I take that as a "yes" , reformatting is the correct solution when booting fails repetitively.
I guess there's no way to save configurations/accounts or anything stored on the sd card and the above account creation process will need to be repeated anytime it happens.  So far, I haven't had any more issues since using the proper power down button.
Now just waiting for core to finish syncing.

Agreed, just bought with the week's allowance today.  By the time I need to use that coin, it'll most certainly be worth far more assuming it hasn't gone to zero. 
I truly enjoy the uncomplicated space of buy and hodl (assuming that the value is ever increasingly realized). I imagine that trading can be a constant high pressure poker face.  For me that encourages a kind of emotional attachment to price swings that I just don't have time for.  But, I'll likely be the guy who hodl past the next ATH  top and all the way down again. 

I've been finding my way with some luck and tons of google searches so far but there's some concerns still about its stability.
I was unplugging the Rpi each time I wanted to turn it off. Only recently found the power off button, duh. Had to reformat a few times likely because of this. At least that's my theory now.

If the Rpi won't boot or enters a loop and retrying boot fails too many times, is reformatting and burning image to the card the only way to fix it? 

Sure is.  Hadn't had the time to invest into learning it until recently.  Mic headed up a nice rally for full node awhile back I recall but couldn't participate.  
Is this the intravenous tipping point?  

Finally getting Bitcoin core synced. Better late than @ 2 TB's. Installing on a Raspberry Pi 4 4gb. Class is in session, feels good to be learning!

I have Raspbian installed on the SD now. Had no idea to look for Debian. Thanks for the tips! 
Perhaps I'll start with Rasbian and try to run the node from here. Remember, this is all a learning experiment to familiarize myself with BTC core and RPi's. 
Next questions,  I intend to sync core on my desktop before moving to the RPi. 
I'm assuming I need to first download core on my desktop? Will I need to partition my external 2TB HD in any way when I put the block chain on the HD? 

All the gear arrived today. Thanks for the suggestions on the hardware. Time to get this thing up an running.  
Questions for the absolute beginner on RP and nodes.

Should I be using a specific flavor of ubuntu or a specific .iso to load onto the SD Card?   I've only ever burned images on disk or virtual drives.
I had intended to also load kubuntu on the thumb drive for an old dell laptopr as philipma1957 mentioned in the post above. I suspect it will be a similar process.

Here's the goods. Gotta love BTC, saved 30% with purse, helped someone earn in Ghana and delivered tools to further educate. Go BTC!

I see we've touched the 200 MDA today at 9.6K. 
I suspect this isn't going to stop here.  Seems like many expect resistance at 10K so I expect it to be broken just as it has many times before.   

Wow, 1st place in receiving October WO sm merits! Whoop whoop! Thanks everyone and fillipone for compiling and posting the data!  likely a one time honor
 

Now I'm only having reproductive thoughts, geez thanks Gyrsur 

Wow, so many chiming in with reference to block chain / crypto instead of Bitcoin.
Seems like block chain is just a buzz word and distraction. There is no block chain without Bitcoin. We are redefining value and possibly money.  Bitcoin's block chain is so important because it is open, border-less, censorship resistant, neutral to state and politics, and public to everyone. https://coinbet.com/news/what-are-the-5-pillars-of-open-blockchain-292  
I pray the teachers get a better education than block chain and crypto for their students.  

Looks very interesting. Is this carved in ebony by machine (CNC or laser) or by hand? 
Is you're criticism that the logo is not centered on the wood?  Maybe run another try on the back side?