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Wire & Cable ASIA – May/June 2009
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John Barteld, CEO and director of
IWCS, writes that the wire and cable
industry lost a legendary leader and
friend when Elmer ‘Ace’ Godwin,
former CEO and director, passed
away in late February.
An electronics engineer, Ace worked
with the US Army Electronics Com-
mand research and development
laboratories at Fort Monmouth, NJ.
Upon his retirement from the Army in
1979, Ace joined the International
Wire and Cable Symposium as its
CEO/Director. Ace led the IWCS for
23 years, retiring in 2002.
Joining the US Army early in the war,
Ace became a member of the
Tuskegee Airmen, the all black 223
rd
Fighter Squadron. Ace distinguished
himself during his service to the
country, being awarded a Good
Conduct Medal and the Distinguished
Unit Badge while serving in Italy.
After the war, Ace continued his
pursuit of education, first at
Monmouth College and eventually at
Rutgers University, where he received
his BS degree in engineering. He then
went to work as a civilian for the
US Army.
Ace became a leading international
lecturer and authority on wire and cable
engineering, and contributed signifi-
cantly to the growing International Wire
and Cable Symposium, which was also
head-quartered at Fort Monmouth.
His migration to the leadership of the
IWCS was viewed as a natural step in
his dedication to the industry and to
his interest in advancements in the
technology.
The list of organisations to which Ace
dedicated his time and service is
extensive, and his service to his
country was ultimately recognised
with the award of the Congressional
Gold Medal in 2007.
John writes, “On a personal note, Ace
continued to ‘look over my shoulder’
at the operations of the IWCS. He
always knew when I was in the office
in Eatontown, and would stop by to
say hello and visit for a few minutes.
“He was keenly interested in the
success of the IWCS and always
available to offer a kind word of advice,
or just to offer encouragement when
obstacles loomed. I shall miss him.”
A scholarship fund was endowed
at Rutgers University upon Ace’s
retirement from the IWCS. Details
about donating to the fund in his
honour are available from the IWCS.
IWCS – USA
Fax
: +1 732 389 0991
Website
:
www.iwcs.orgElmer ‘Ace’ Godwin remembered
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Elmer ‘Ace’ Godwin
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