[access-uk] FW: Sad news regarding Dr Russell Smith
- From: "George Bell" <george@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: undisclosed-recipients: ;
- Date: Tue, 9 Aug 2005 09:40:33 +0100
-----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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