Helmut Hellwig
Obituary
Helmut Hellwig – The Time and Frequency Control Community Loses One of its Pioneers and Leaders 1938-2000 The time and frequency control community lost one of its leaders on July 22, 2000 when Helmut Hellwig passed away. Helmut made many scientific and management contributions to our field and he will be missed by his many friends and colleagues. Helmut Hellwig was born on May 7, 1938 in Berlin, Germany. His professional education in Germany included a 1963 Master of Science degree in physics and a 1966 Doctorate in electrical engineering, both from the Technical University of Berlin. During that period Helmut was a Researcher at the Heinrich Hertz Institute in Berlin. He immigrated to the United States in 1966 and became a U.S. citizen in 1972. Dr. Hellwig was a research physicist in the field of atomic frequency standards for the U.S. Army Electronics Command in Ft. Monmouth, NJ between 1966 and 1969, and a Time and Frequency Division Research Physicist, Section Chief and Associate Division Chief at the National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in Boulder, CO between 1969-1979. While there, Helmut established an organizational culture of advanced research in the field of atomic clocks which persists to this day. In 1979, Helmut became the President of Frequency and Time Systems, Inc. (FTS, now part of Datum, Inc.), a research and manufacturing company in Beverly, MA. He led the successful qualification and production of satellite cesium clocks for the Global Positioning System (GPS). In 1986, Helmut returned to NBS as Associate Director. Then, in 1990 he was appointed Director of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Bolling Air Force Base, DC, where he was responsible for managing the entire basic research program of the U.S. Air Force. He built a strong research infrastructure carried out by approximately 6,000 researchers in Air Force Laboratories, universities and industries. In 1996, Helmut was appointed Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology and Engineering, Office of the Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition) in Arlington, VA. In that position, he was responsible for all Air Force investments in science and technology. Helmut retired from this position in 1999. He was a Fellow of the IEEE, a Member of the American Physical Society and Sigma Xi. He was also a member of the International Scientific Radio Union (URSI), the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) and the International Astronomical Union (IAU) Helmut was very active in IEEE and frequency control committees, including the I&M and UFFC Societies. He was an Associate Editor of the Transactions on UFFC, Chairman of the I&M Technical Committee on Time and Frequency, and a member of the PTTI Executive Committee. He has also organized or co-organized numerous national and international conferences. He was granted several patents in the field of atomic frequency standards, and published about 100 technical and scientific articles and papers. Helmut received a number of professional awards, including an honorary doctorate from the University of Besancon, France in 1989 for his work on atomic frequency standards, and a 1996 Air Force Senior Executive Service, Presidential Rank Award for exceptional performance over an extended period of time. He was also the recipient of the E.U. Condon Award, the IR-100 award and the United States Army Science Award. Helmut is survived by his wife Thekla, his two sons Frank and Peter, and two granddaughters. Donations may be made in Helmut Hellwig’s name to RICA, a facility for children and adolescents with severe emotional disabilities at 15000 Broschart Road, Rockville MD 20850.
Juergen H. Staudte
Obituary
Juergen H. Staudte – Industry Mourns Loss of Quartz Crystal Pioneer and Innovator 1937-1999 Cedar City, UT, July 1999 – The quartz crystal industry mourns the loss of Juergen H. Staudte, a true pioneer in the quartz crystal industry, who passed away on May 19, 1999 in New Mexico, after the twin engine plane he was piloting crashed. Staudte revolutionized the quartz crystal industry in the late 1960s when he combined the technologies of the quartz crystal and the semiconductor industries to fabricate quartz crystals by photolithographic batch processing. By inventing this process, Staudte changed the way crystals were built, allowing for production of low-cost, miniature tuning fork crystals. His advances laid the foundation for the quartz crystal watch business. Staudte was awarded 11 patents between 1971 and 1995 in the quartz-related field. He received the Cady Award in 1986 for his “pioneering contributions to the photolithographic processing of quartz devices, especially the development and commercialization of quartz tuning forks for time keeping”, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and U.S. Army Electronics Research and Developments Command, and was elected “Piezo Device Man of the Year” in 1993 by the American Electronics Industries Association. “The quartz crystal industry – and science itself – has suffered a great loss in Mr. Staudte’s passing,” said E.L. Fox, President of Fox Electronics, one of America’s leading suppliers of frequency control products. “The processes he developed revolutionized and advanced the industry.“Juergen was a brilliant, forward-thinking, deeply respected scientist who transformed the quartz crystal industry,” commented George Maronich, President of Frequency Management, a manufacturer of crystals and oscillators. “He has been called ‘the Einstein of the crystal business’, a befitting title for someone so intelligent, driven, and hard working.” Staudte was born in Germany on December 9, 1937; and trained as a chemical engineer. He fled Eastern Europe just before the Wall was erected and moved to the United States in 1957, at which time he joined the U.S. Airforce. He earned his B.S. in Physics from Aurora University in Illinois and his Masters Degree in Physics from Michigan State University. Staudte began his career in quartz crystals at CTS Knights in Sandwich, Illinois while he was a senior at Aurora University. After graduating from Michigan State, Juergen worked at Autonetics, where he developed the process of photolithography for the production of quartz crystal wafers. In 1969, Juergen founded Statek Corporation, Orange, California, where he was President and Chairman of the Board until its sale in 1976. Statek developed and manufactured ultra miniature tuning fork crystals for the newly developing digital watch industry. Statek’s production techniques were the most advanced device design, processing and automation technologies in the crystal industry. In-house developments included material preparation, wafer fabrication, automatic assembly, testing, and new products. Juergen was named “Man of the Year” in 1979 by Elektronik Magazine in Germany. Staudte founded Staudte Engineering, Inc. in 1980 as a management and technology company, providing consultation to companies including Motorola, Seiko, and Bausch and Lomb, where he was also VP of Research and Development. In 1985, Staudte founded XECO, Inc., where he remained President and Owner. XECO is a quartz crystal industry support company, which builds turnkey facilities and equipment, and which has built facilities for Hughes Aircraft, General Electric and Sandia National Laboratories. From 1989 – 1993, Staudte was President and Founder of Avance Technology, Inc., which researched and developed novel products, including the sub miniature 50 – 500 MHz quartz crystals and clock oscillators. Since 1991, Staudte had been President and Owner of Hoffman Materials, which grows quartz and produces semi-finished quartz products. P.R. Hoffman is an industry leader in the manufacture of surface acoustic wave wafers, quartz mesa elements, and wafers for quartz photolithographic production. Staudte purchased the then defunct company in 1991, and turned it into a profitable company. Staudte owned and served as Chairman of the Board at Morion Corporation since 1994. Morion, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, is a leader in the Eastern Block in advanced precision quartz products. Staudte enjoyed flying, scuba diving, skydiving, and hiking. He is remembered as a personable, down-to-earth man who lived life to the fullest. He was a beloved leader, mentor, and friend. Staudte lived in Orange County, California from 1967 – 1989, at which time he moved to Cedar City, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Marci; their three children: Kendra, Kevin and Keith; his mother, Ella; and his sisters: Heidi Turner and Ute Norris. Donations may be made in Juergen Staudte’s name to the local Salvation Army nearest you.
Juergen Staudte
Obituary
Juergen H. Staudte – Industry Mourns Loss of Quartz Crystal Pioneer and Innovator 1937-1999 Cedar City, UT, July 1999 – The quartz crystal industry mourns the loss of Juergen H. Staudte, a true pioneer in the quartz crystal industry, who passed away on May 19, 1999 in New Mexico, after the twin engine plane he was piloting crashed. Staudte revolutionized the quartz crystal industry in the late 1960s when he combined the technologies of the quartz crystal and the semiconductor industries to fabricate quartz crystals by photolithographic batch processing. By inventing this process, Staudte changed the way crystals were built, allowing for production of low-cost, miniature tuning fork crystals. His advances laid the foundation for the quartz crystal watch business. Staudte was awarded 11 patents between 1971 and 1995 in the quartz-related field. He received the Cady Award in 1986 for his “pioneering contributions to the photolithographic processing of quartz devices, especially the development and commercialization of quartz tuning forks for time keeping”, from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and U.S. Army Electronics Research and Developments Command, and was elected “Piezo Device Man of the Year” in 1993 by the American Electronics Industries Association. “The quartz crystal industry – and science itself – has suffered a great loss in Mr. Staudte’s passing,” said E.L. Fox, President of Fox Electronics, one of America’s leading suppliers of frequency control products. “The processes he developed revolutionized and advanced the industry.“Juergen was a brilliant, forward-thinking, deeply respected scientist who transformed the quartz crystal industry,” commented George Maronich, President of Frequency Management, a manufacturer of crystals and oscillators. “He has been called ‘the Einstein of the crystal business’, a befitting title for someone so intelligent, driven, and hard working.” Staudte was born in Germany on December 9, 1937; and trained as a chemical engineer. He fled Eastern Europe just before the Wall was erected and moved to the United States in 1957, at which time he joined the U.S. Airforce. He earned his B.S. in Physics from Aurora University in Illinois and his Masters Degree in Physics from Michigan State University. Staudte began his career in quartz crystals at CTS Knights in Sandwich, Illinois while he was a senior at Aurora University. After graduating from Michigan State, Juergen worked at Autonetics, where he developed the process of photolithography for the production of quartz crystal wafers. In 1969, Juergen founded Statek Corporation, Orange, California, where he was President and Chairman of the Board until its sale in 1976. Statek developed and manufactured ultra miniature tuning fork crystals for the newly developing digital watch industry. Statek’s production techniques were the most advanced device design, processing and automation technologies in the crystal industry. In-house developments included material preparation, wafer fabrication, automatic assembly, testing, and new products. Juergen was named “Man of the Year” in 1979 by Elektronik Magazine in Germany. Staudte founded Staudte Engineering, Inc. in 1980 as a management and technology company, providing consultation to companies including Motorola, Seiko, and Bausch and Lomb, where he was also VP of Research and Development. In 1985, Staudte founded XECO, Inc., where he remained President and Owner. XECO is a quartz crystal industry support company, which builds turnkey facilities and equipment, and which has built facilities for Hughes Aircraft, General Electric and Sandia National Laboratories. From 1989 – 1993, Staudte was President and Founder of Avance Technology, Inc., which researched and developed novel products, including the sub miniature 50 – 500 MHz quartz crystals and clock oscillators. Since 1991, Staudte had been President and Owner of Hoffman Materials, which grows quartz and produces semi-finished quartz products. P.R. Hoffman is an industry leader in the manufacture of surface acoustic wave wafers, quartz mesa elements, and wafers for quartz photolithographic production. Staudte purchased the then defunct company in 1991, and turned it into a profitable company. Staudte owned and served as Chairman of the Board at Morion Corporation since 1994. Morion, located in St. Petersburg, Russia, is a leader in the Eastern Block in advanced precision quartz products. Staudte enjoyed flying, scuba diving, skydiving, and hiking. He is remembered as a personable, down-to-earth man who lived life to the fullest. He was a beloved leader, mentor, and friend. Staudte lived in Orange County, California from 1967 – 1989, at which time he moved to Cedar City, Utah. He is survived by his wife, Marci; their three children: Kendra, Kevin and Keith; his mother, Ella; and his sisters: Heidi Turner and Ute Norris. Donations may be made in Juergen Staudte’s name to the local Salvation Army nearest you.
Robert Laudise
Obituary
Robert Laudise – A Pioneer in Growing Quartz Crystals 1931-1998 Bob Laudise, Sawyer Award Winner, Dies at Age 67 Murray Hill, N.J. (Aug. 21, 1998) — Robert A. Laudise, Adjunct Chemical Director at Bell Labs, died yesterday Thursday, Aug. 20 at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. He was 67. Dr. Laudise, of Berkeley Heights, N.J., joined Bell Labs in 1956 and served as Materials Research Director, Physical and Inorganic Chemistry Research Director, and Materials and Processing Director. Groups he lead transferred optical-fiber technology to production and prepared the first lithium-niobate and yttrium-aluminum garnet laser crystals. His research interests included solid-state chemistry, materials science and materials conservation, and crystal growth. Most commercial processes for preparing crystalline quartz used worldwide are based on his studies of hydrothermal crystallization. His work was widely recognized through his election to membership in the National Academy of Science and the National Academy of Engineering. He continued his personal research throughout his career, most recently in the area of crystallization of organic materials.“Bob devoted his life to science and Bell Labs,” said William F. Brinkman, Vice President of Bell Labs Physical Sciences and Engineering Research division. “He was always enthusiastic about doing new things – with a sense of humor that never failed. He also had a profound commitment to industrial ecology and helped to create corporate grants at Lucent and at AT&T that engaged researchers around the world in industrial-ecology research.” Dr. Laudise was also adjunct professor of materials science at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and adjunct professor of ceramics at Rutgers University. He received numerous prizes and awards including the American Chemical Society Materials Chemistry Prize, the International Crystal Growth Prize, the Orton Award of the American Ceramic Society, the Sawyer Prize, and in 1989 the International Organization for Crystal Growth designated its prize for experimental crystal growth the Laudise Prize. Dr. Laudise served on numerous national advisory committees including the National Science Foundation, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the President’s Science Advisory Committee. He was editor of the Journal of Materials Research and was elected to the American Philosophical Society. He received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from Union College, Schenectady, N.Y., in 1952 and a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from MIT in 1956. Dr. Laudise was a lector and a minister of communion at Little Flower Church in Berkeley Heights, and president of the Twin Lakes Property Owners Association in Shohola, Penn. He is survived by his wife Joyce, his sons Thomas, of Maplewood, N.J., John, of Berkeley Heights, N.J., and Edward of Naples, Florida, his daughter Mary, of Basking Ridge, N.J., and his daughter Margaret and her sons Matthew and Robert Warden, of Wyncote, Penn. Funeral arrangements are being made by Paul Ippolito BerkeleyMemorial Funeral Home, Berkeley Heights. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Dr. Laudise’s name to Immokalee Friendship House, a shelter for homeless people in Immokalee, Florida, or to other charities.
