"All-American" TV Technicians Win General Electric Awards for Public
Service
February 1958 Radio-Electronics
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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. |
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. |
 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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
Posted January 21, 2014
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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. 
