You beat me to the punch there George.
Its been a sad day out here in NZ.
What has been strange in some ways is that the whole country knew about the
plane crash yesterday but at that time we didn't know who was on board; that
news came through late last night (about 24 hours ago for us) and what a
shock for those of us who knew him.
The crash is still second or third story on the national news at present.
I was talking to the folks at Humanware in Christchurch this afternoon and
as you can imagine they are just stunned. But if anyone feels moved to send
condolences from the UK I can guarantee you they'll be welcomed: use the
e-mail address at the bottom of the press release which George sent out, or
do it from the humanware website.
All the best,
Neil
Neil Jarvis Wellington, New Zealand e-mail: neiljarvis@xxxxxxxxxx MSN: neil.jarvis@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx Skype: neiljarvis
-----Original Message----- From: Ramona Mandy [mailto:ramona.mandy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] Sent: 09 August 2005 07:17 To: Vip-L Subject: Sad news regarding Dr Russell Smith
Press Release
Christchurch, New Zealand, 9th August 2005
We are very saddened to advise that on Sunday, 7th August 2005, our company founder, and Chief Executive, Dr Russell Smith, and his wife Marian, were killed in a light aircraft crash.
Russell was a very keen flyer, owned a Cessna 182, and had built a private airfield and hangar on his property at Aylesford. On Sunday Russell and Marian were returning home from Nelson in their Cessna, when the aircraft crashed into the sea north of Christchurch.
Russell devoted his working life to developing products for people with severe visual impairment, and in a 30 year involvement in our industry, he became an icon, recognised and admired all over the world.
His death at age 61 is a huge loss to HumanWare, and to the industry in which we operate. Both he and Marian will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues all over the world.
Until a replacement CEO is appointed, the company will be managed by a core team of senior managers, with strong support from the Chairman and other members of the board.
Russell Smith Biography
Russell graduated from University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand, with B.E.(Hons) in Electrical Engineering and went on to complete a Ph.D. degree in 1972. His doctoral research concerned new techniques for designing transducers and information displays for under-water sonar systems.
Following a period as Assistant Lecturer in Electrical Engineering at University of Canterbury, he joined the Wormald International Group in 1975 to head a new division which would develop the SonicGuide sonar mobility aid for the blind. The benefit of Russell's earlier research in sonar techniques was instrumental in ensuring the successful launch of this innovative product on to the world blindness market.
In 1976 Russell was appointed the first Manager of Wormald International Sensory Aids Ltd, which became Pulse Data International Ltd in January 1988 after a management buyout.
In January 2005 Russell finalised a merger of the company with Canadian-based VisuAide, and the new combined company was renamed HumanWare Ltd.
Russell served as an industry representative on the Faculty of Engineering & Forestry at the University of Canterbury and was also a member of the University of Canterbury Council and the Finance Planning & Resources Committee. He was an invited member of the New Zealand Government study team on Electronics for the Future, and was a member of the IEEE, an Honorary Fellow of The Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ), and a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM). The MNZM award was given for his services to the visually impaired.
Russell was a frequent speaker at International Conferences for the visually impaired, and in July this year he addressed the annual convention of the National Federation of the Blind in Louisville, Kentucky.
As well as being Chief Executive and Managing Director of HumanWare Group, Russell also served for many years as Chairman of the Board of the group's Europe, Australia, USA, and Canada subsidiary companies.
About HumanWare
Based in Christchurch, New Zealand, HumanWare designs and manufactures innovative technology for people who are blind and visually impaired. Formed in 1988, and formerly known as Pulse Data International, HumanWare exports approximately 98% of its products worldwide to more than 30 countries, and has revenues of approximately NZ$70 million.
In January 2005, Pulse Data and Visuaide of Canada merged to form HumanWare, one of the world's largest companies in the blindness and low vision industries.
Sales offices have been established in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, The Netherlands, Australia and New Zealand and the company supports a strong distribution network throughout North America, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Additional Information
We would appreciate anyone wishing to email messages of condolence to send these messages to russellandmarian@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
For further information about HumanWare, or Dr Smith, please visit our website at www.humanware.com or contact:
Greg Thompson International Sales & Marketing Manager HumanWare P O Box 3044, Christchurch New Zealand
cellphone: (021) 528-003 email: greg.thompson@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Ramona Mandy National Blindness Products Consultant HumanWare 27 Palmer Street South Melbourne VIC 3205 Tel: 03 9686 2601 Mob: 0404 834 924 Fax: 02 9686 2855 Email: ramona.mandy@xxxxxxxxxxxxx Web: www.humanware.com (Pulse Data and VisuAide have recently merged to form "HumanWare". For more details visit our website).
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