Class Note 1955
Issue
November-December 2021
World events plus the surge in Covid-19 cases, turmoil over masks and vaccinations, and even a hurricane in New England have made August a more uncomfortable month beyond the traditional “dog days” sobriquet. However, as we write this column, the College intends to open on schedule, with a mask requirement for indoor gatherings. Also, by the time you see this in print, we will have had our end of September mini-reunion in Hanover—all subject to the above noted turbulence.
Ed Wilson sets a refreshing tone advising that at age 88 he has enjoyed his 80th year of downhill skiing—23 times this past year! He intends to keep going until 90 and beyond. He claims to be semi-retired but quickly adds that most of his time is occupied with the LightGard product he invented for Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in 1986 to monitor computer lab equipment in answer to an equipment loss problem. Result: 10 U.S. patents; more than 100 devices in use on campus; labs now open all day, every day; and a savings to CMU of $12 million a year. A Thayer grad, Ed actually started his career as an insurance salesman when he was newly married to Carol, his wife of 61 years, now deceased, after his military service. During this time he worked with an inventor on a wireless microphone that Ed had to redesign to make it work. From that success, he created his Minatronics Co. Ed developed a reputation for problem-solving, figuring out how things work. He had a series of other inventions, such as an endless loop recording and timing device. His LightGard wifi fiber optic security system has a patented battery operating system and can be used anywhere to monitor potential theft of valuable equipment, from nuclear material (in use at Sandia National Laboratories) to personal possessions. He continues to bring his newly patented security alarm systems to market worldwide, such as in Vietnam. More recently, Ed spent a week with fraternity brother Dave Flitner at Dave’s ranch in Greybull, Wyoming.
Sadly, we report the passing of Bill Chapin, Bill Slater, Bob Stanford, and John “Pete” Wheeler.
—Ken Lundstrom, 1101 Exchange Place, #1106, Durham, NC 27713; (919) 206-4639; kenlundstrom@yahoo.com
Ed Wilson sets a refreshing tone advising that at age 88 he has enjoyed his 80th year of downhill skiing—23 times this past year! He intends to keep going until 90 and beyond. He claims to be semi-retired but quickly adds that most of his time is occupied with the LightGard product he invented for Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) in 1986 to monitor computer lab equipment in answer to an equipment loss problem. Result: 10 U.S. patents; more than 100 devices in use on campus; labs now open all day, every day; and a savings to CMU of $12 million a year. A Thayer grad, Ed actually started his career as an insurance salesman when he was newly married to Carol, his wife of 61 years, now deceased, after his military service. During this time he worked with an inventor on a wireless microphone that Ed had to redesign to make it work. From that success, he created his Minatronics Co. Ed developed a reputation for problem-solving, figuring out how things work. He had a series of other inventions, such as an endless loop recording and timing device. His LightGard wifi fiber optic security system has a patented battery operating system and can be used anywhere to monitor potential theft of valuable equipment, from nuclear material (in use at Sandia National Laboratories) to personal possessions. He continues to bring his newly patented security alarm systems to market worldwide, such as in Vietnam. More recently, Ed spent a week with fraternity brother Dave Flitner at Dave’s ranch in Greybull, Wyoming.
Sadly, we report the passing of Bill Chapin, Bill Slater, Bob Stanford, and John “Pete” Wheeler.
—Ken Lundstrom, 1101 Exchange Place, #1106, Durham, NC 27713; (919) 206-4639; kenlundstrom@yahoo.com