February 1958 Radio-Electronics
 [Table
of Contents]
Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics.
See articles from Radio-Electronics,
published 1930-1988. All copyrights hereby acknowledged.
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In the middle of the last
century, television technicians were considered nearly as god-like as doctors, especially
those who made house calls to cure an ailing entity - be it a TV with its vertical
synch circuit running amok or a child running a fever. OK, I exaggerate a bit, but
General Electric mounted a media campaign to build a favorable image of TV repairmen
in the public eye. People from every walk of life and of every type employment (ok,
maybe not mafia hit men and politicians), gave of their free time to help community
efforts in charitable ways without any expectation of returned favors (which is
why I included politicians along with mafia hit men). This 2-page advertisement
which appeared in a 1958 edition of Radio-Electronics depicted TV technicians
who were bestowed the "All American Award" for public service. Some worked with
Boy Scouts, as civil defense leaders, as sports coaches, with amateur radio and
electronics classes, with natural disaster relief, as student tutors, and more.
At the time, most people were impressed with the selfless efforts of others, particularly
when being recognized with an award. I'm not sure that is true today now in our
age of "everyone wins" and "there are no losers" where singling out achievers for
their accomplishments is frowned upon because it might hurt the ego of slackers.
"All-American" TV Technicians Win General Electric Awards for Public Service
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Good Sportsmanship is developed by Marcus E. Denham at Whitaker
State Orphans' Home, Pryor, Oklahoma, where he assists in recreational activities.
He is also prominent in many local community service groups. His work is typical
of the many public service contributions of TV technicians everywhere.
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Boy Scout Work and assistance to Charlotte, Michigan, youth groups
make Bart Rypstra, Jr., another "All-American", He is a member of the Charlotte
city council, active in civil-defense communications, and belongs to many community
service clubs. When time permits, Bart devotes his technical talents to servicing
sound equipment, movie projectors and record players at city schools.
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 Americans everywhere responded to General
Electric's invitation to nominate candidates for "All-American" Awards, honoring
television technicians who have distinguished themselves in public service.
The winners, whose pictures appear on these pages, were selected by a panel of
judges composed of Wendell Barnes, Administrator, Small Business Administration;
Wendell Ford, 1956-57 President, United States Junior Chamber of Commerce; Herman
Hickman, Sports Authority; and Ed Sullivan, Columnist and TV Personality.
General Electric has established these awards as another step in its program
to recognize the public service contributions made by independent businessmen everywhere.
The accomplishments of these television technicians should serve as an inspiration
to all Americans. General Electric Company, Receiving Tube Department, Owensboro,
Kentucky.
 Progress Is Our Most Important Product
General Electric
Judges Selected 13 Winners to receive this trophy, $500 for use in community
improvement, and luncheon with Under Secretary of Commerce Walter Williams at Washington,
D.C.
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Volunteer Fireman and Instructor John R. O'Brien, Evanston, Wyoming, teaches
first aid at neighboring fire companies and schools. He is active in communications
during civic emergencies, and lends and installs sound equipment for town functions.
Many community service groups benefit from his time and skills.
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Many Were Saved by Scott Witcher, Jr., during Lampasas, Texas, disaster. Here
he shows height of water in raging flood which swept his area. Scott saved lives
and helped restore communications to the community. He is active in the National
Guard, in civic and youth organizations.
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TV For the Sick is provided by Billy Joe Jenkins of Paducah, Texas. By installing
antenna cable and servicing sets without charge, Billy Joe has made it possible
for patients in Richards Memorial Hospital to enjoy TV. He helps community improvement
drives, teaches electronics to Boy Scouts.
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Girls' Drill Team at St. Joseph's Parish is supported by Remo
De Nicola, Quincy, Mass., as one of his many community services. He also gives free
television service to a school for retarded children and is always ready to lend
sound equipment for charitable affairs.
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Civil Defense Leader Richard G. Wells, Jr., Pikeville, Ky., installed
television cables from a community antenna to Pikeville College, high school, fire
department, Scout building and Methodist Hospital. He is working to give the high
school a closed-circuit TV system.
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Five Public Service Citations plus a civilian Navy award were
given Frank J. Hatler, Roselle, N. J., for his communications work in community
emergencies. As local civil defense head, Frank organized communications networks,
helped many to get radio licenses.
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Blind Can Skate because Philip G. Rehkopf, Jr., Louisville, Kentucky,
installed a record player and placed loud speakers around the walls of the gymnasium
at the Kentucky Home for the Blind. He developed an electronic device to give scores
to blind basketball fans, and tape records text books for blind students.
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Wheel Chair is no handicap for Mortimer Libowitz of Brooklyn,
New York. Though disabled all of his life, Morty has devoted his time to helping
others in his community. With a crew of student volunteers, he maintains the radio
station at Thomas Jefferson High School, Brooklyn. He also services a Red Cross
radio station and is active in civil defense communications. Morty has trained many
youths in radio, developing some into amateur operators and skilled television technicians.
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Electronics Laboratory at Long Beach City College, California,
was established with help from Harry E. Ward. Harry serves as chairman of the Business
and Technology Advisory Committee and for fifteen years has devoted his time to
finding work for students, graduates and others.
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Student Benefactor Philip T. Di Pace, of Albany, N. Y., contributes
used radio and television chassis and parts to Siena College students who are interested
in electronics. Phil now heads a project to finance an athletic field and playground
for 75 neighborhood children.
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Basic Electronics is taught to neighborhood boys by John E. Stefanski,
Pontiac, Michigan. He has organized a scientific library for the boys and is now
planning a new Pontiac Boy's Club. John has served as chairman of the Business Ethics
Board of the Pontiac area Chamber of Commerce. Television sets in the Oakland County
Sanatorium are serviced without charge through his efforts.
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Posted September 9, 2019
(updated from original post on 1/21/2014)
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