Remembering Semiconductor Industry Leader Thomas Hinkelman, 1925-2015

by John Neuffer, President and CEO

SIA and the entire semiconductor community are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Thomas David Hinkelman, one of the first leaders of SIA and a true semiconductor industry champion.

Tom served as SIA’s Executive Director from 1977-1985, helping guide the association and our industry through a period of great transition and growth. He later served as the first Administrator of the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization. Throughout his career, Tom worked with other industry leaders to prioritize semiconductor market data and raise the industry’s profile domestically and around the world.

Tom also worked for Eckert Mauchly, General Electric, Motorola, and Fairchild during his career and was a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, where he received a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He received his MBA from Harvard University and served as an ensign in the United States Navy during World War II.

He is survived by his six children, 14 grandchildren and two great grandsons. His wife of 60 years, Winnie, passed away in 2011.

A gathering to honor Tom and to remember a life well-lived will be held on Sunday, Sept. 27 at 10:30 a.m. in Shoup Park in Los Altos, California. We understand that all those who knew and appreciated Tom are welcome.