EoW May 2009

english corporate news

Industry mourns two old friends

William (Bill) F Hankel The founder of H&W Pressure Welding, Bill Hankel of Warminster, Philadelphia, died on 6 th February 2009, aged 84. A WWII veteran serving in the United States Navy, Bill was previously employed as a theatre manager for Warner Brothers in Philadelphia. The Heintz Corporation in Philadelphia then employed him for 35 years before he started his own business, H&W Pressure Welding. In 1984 he became sole USA distributor for British company PWM (Pressure Welding Machines). Following a very fit and active life Bill never really submitted to retirement convinced that the next day he would

be back at work. A keen follower of thoroughbred horse racing, Bill enjoyed nothing better than a day at the races. Bill was the father of a son, William F Hankel Jr, and three daughters, Carolyn Schermerhorn, Suzanne Davidson, and Jennifer Schermerhorn, and had eight grandchildren. His wife, Constance J Hankel, predeceased him.

Elmer ‘Ace’ Godwin

country in the pre-World War II era. Joining the US Army early in the war, Ace became a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the all black 223 rd Fighter Squadron. Ace distinguished himself during his service to the country, being awarded a Good Conduct Medal and the Distinguished Unit Badge while serving in Italy. After the war, Ace continued his pursuit of education, first at Monmouth College and eventually at Rutgers University, where he received his BS degree in engineering. He then went to work as a civilian for the US Army. Ace became a leading international lecturer and authority on wire and cable engineering, and contributed significantly to the growing International Wire and Cable Symposium, which was also headquartered at Fort Monmouth. John writes, “On a personal note, I have had the honour of knowing Ace for only the past six years, but Ace continued to ‘ look over my shoulder ’ at the operations of the IWCS. He was keenly interested in the success of the IWCS and always available to offer a kind word of advice, or just to offer encouragement when obstacles loomed. I shall miss him.” IWCS – USA Fax : +1 732 389 0991 Website : www.iwcs.org

John Barteld, CEO and director of IWCS, writes that the wire and cable industry lost a legendary leader and friend when Elmer ‘Ace’ Godwin, former CEO and director, passed away in late February. An electronics engineer, Ace worked with the US Army Electronics Command research and development laboratories at Fort Monmouth, NJ. Upon his retirement from the Army in 1979, Ace joined the International Wire and Cable Symposium as its CEO/Director. Ace led the IWCS for 23 years, retiring in 2002. Ace came from a very humble back- ground in rural Virginia. His education commenced in a one room, segregated schoolhouse on his grand- parents’ farm, where the value of education became deeply embedded in him. Eventually leaving the farm for further education, Ace faced the realities of a segregated

14

EuroWire – May 2009