The IPC Says Goodbye to a Longtime Designers Council Member

It is with regret that the IPC Designers Council announces the passing of an important member and a real contributor in the design community, Max E. Thorson.

Max was a founding father of the Houston Chapter. He spent time as their Chapter President and Board member, and also served on the Designer’s Certification Review Board.

Max enlisted in the Army in 1957 and began his career two years later. He became a PCB Design Supervisor at Texas Instruments in 1966, where he spent the next six years developing his design capabilities and fondness for helping fellow designers.

His progression did not stop there, as he became a Full Automation Specialist in 1972 and an IC Design Supervisor in 1975. A year later, he was a Manufacturing Engineer and by 1979 he was promoted to Manager of IC Design.

In 1988, Max joined Compaq as a PCB Design Supervisor. He later became a PCB Quality Engineer in 1992, after Compaq merged with Hewlett-Packard. During his tenure, he taught design classes where he enjoyed helping young designers reach their aspirations.

Max will certainly be missed by the IPC and the design community. He touched many people over the years as he sought to not only better himself, but the others around him. There will never be another like him.

In Loving Memory
Max E. Thorson
1936-2005

"Max Thorson was an inspiration to all industry experts who met him. He shared his knowledge about "design for excellence", and taught these principles during every opportunity. He fostered the formation of the IPC Designers Council, and provided guidance toward its growth and industry acceptance. He, and his wisdom, will be sadly missed by an industry that needs Max Thorson's type of counseling more than ever before."  

—Dieter Bergman, IPC

“He touched so many people and did so much for his profession. I’ll miss his laugh and sense of humor (and always remember the handlebar mustache and suspenders).”

— Don Mayse, Emerson Process Managemen