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In Memory of Thomas G. Stockham
The University and the state of Utah have lost one of their most
prominent citizens, educational leaders, and technological giants.
On January 6, 2004, Dr. Thomas G. Stockham passed away at the Care
Source in Salt Lake City after an extended illness. Professor Stockham
joined the faculty of the University in 1969 as Associate Professor
of Electrical Engineering. Shortly thereafter, he was one of the
inaugural members of the faculty of the Department of Computer Science
when it was transformed from a division in Electrical Engineering to a
self-standing department.
Tom was among the first scientist/engineers in the world to recognize the power of the computer to process image
and sound signals as well as techniques for simulating human visual
and auditory processes. His works in these areas have been momentous.
So much so in fact, that he is likely the only engineer in the world
to have received all three of: The National Academy of Television
Arts and Sciences; Emmy Award; (1988), The National Academy of the
Recording Arts and Sciences; Grammy Award; (1993), and The
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; Academy Award; (1998).
In addition to these, he received the 1995 Utah State Governors Medal
for Science and Technology and The Society of Motion Pictures and
Television Engineers 1985 Alexander M. Poniatoff Gold Medal for
Technical Excellence. He is recognized in the World Book Encyclopedia
as the; Father of Compact Disc (CD) Technology. This latter
description is particularly appropriate since from approximately 1975
to 1984 he took leave from the University during which time he founded
and was on the Board of Directors for Soundstream, Inc., the first
commercial digital recording company in the United States. It helped
produce digitally recorded master recordings for many different
record companies. It is impressive to note, that during that time
approximately 25 percent of all the digital compact discs (the CDs
that had become, and remain today, so popular) were mastered by Soundst
ream.
For those who know the history of the Watergate Investigation, there
is another indicator of the reputation that Dr. Stockham established
early in his career at Utah. He was one of the earliest appointees
to the Watergate Investigation Commissions "Sound Subcommittee".
This committee established, through the computer aided signal analysis
of Dr. Stockham and his associates, not only that the now infamous
12-minute segment had been erased, but that it had subsequently been
recorded over several times. This fact, added significantly to the
evidence that eventually lead to the resignation of President Nixon.
Professor Stockham and his wife (Martha), his four children, and eight
grandchildren have been/are outstanding members of both our academic
and civic communities. His contributions will be long remembered.
He will be missed, both professionally and personally, by many here
at the University and in the Engineering/Computer Profession.
A memorial will be held at noon, Sunday, January 18, at the University's Libby Gardner Hall.
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