John Meredith, IEEE Life Fellow, director emeritus of the IEEE Foundation, former Region 5 director, and 2007 IEEE-USA President, passed away in September after a brief illness. John gave decades of service as a volunteer, with a list of accomplishments a mile long.
John served on dozens of committees and boards at the section, region and national level, was active in the Communications and Circuits and Systems Societies, helped organize countless conferences and was honored with awards many times. He brought a wealth of experience from his years in the Navy, industry and academia and never gave up his passion for learning.
“John was a tireless IEEE volunteer, giving of his time and attention to serve our members in many ways,” said Tom Coughlin, 2019 IEEE-USA President. “He consistently encouraged me to do more in IEEE, and was a mentor to many people who have become leaders and strong contributors in the organization. I will miss his suggestions and gentle encouragement, and I know others will as well. The world is better for John having been in it.”
To honor and celebrate John’s memory and impact, the IEEE Foundation is raising a special fund to support programs that match his passions: volunteerism, education, maritime and the history of technology. The goal is to raise $50,000 to fund the following initiatives:
- The first $10,000 raised will be used to support the IEEE-USA John Meredith Service Award
- The next $25,000 will be used to support IEEE REACH and acknowledge that the Early Maritime Navigation Inquiry Unit is made possible “In memory of John Meredith,” as well as the addition of a profile on the REACH supporter page
- Any amount above $35,000 will be used to support IEEE continuing education programs selected by the IEEE Foundation Board
We need your help to make this fund a reality. To donate, please visit the fund’s website today.
Corey Ruth is IEEE-USA’s media relations associate.
