Browder J. Thompson, 1903-1944

Browder J. Thompson was killed in action during a special mission for the Secretary of War. Mr. Thompson lost his lfe on the night of July 4-5, 1944, during a flight in an Army plane in the Mediterranean Theater, while serving as expert consultant in the Office of the Secretary of War and performing a mission described as ´of direct and vital importance to the war.´ Born on August 14, 1903, in Roanoke, Louisiana, Mr. Thompson received the Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington, Seattle, in 1925. In 1926 he entered the research laboratory of the General Electric Company, where he was engaged in the design and development of vacuum tubes for radio and industrial use. Joining The Institute of Radio Engineers as an Associate member in 1929, he was transferred to Member grade in 1932, and became a Fellow of the Institute in 1938. His association with this organization was a very active one; he served on numerous committees, participated in Standards work, and was a member of the Board of Editors and of the Boaird of Directors from 1937 until his death. Mr. Thompson was also a member of the American Physical Society, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi. As one who had a consistently outstanding record of service to his field and an upright and co-operative personality, Mr. Thompson will be sincerely missed by his friends and associates.