Edward MacAlmon Obituary

Edward Lawrence MacAlmon, died February 15, 2006 in Sunrise Assisted Living at University Park in Colorado Springs. He is survived by four sons: Edward Lewis (wife Teresa of St. Louis, MO; Richard Wayne of San Francisco, CA; Terry Alan (wife, Greta) of Colorado Springs, CO; and Ronald James of San Bernardino, CA; seven grandchildren; six-great grandchildren; three sisters: Jeanne Stocks, Bernice Linz; and Joyce Jenkins; and sister-in-law, Geraldine Johanson. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Roberta Eleanor MacAlmon, of Colorado Springs who died November 7, 2004; his parents, Audley Ray Stuart and Iva Grace MacAlmon; a sister, Esther Schuller; one brother and one sister who died in infancy; four brothers-in-law: Harold Johanson, William Schuller, John and Robert Stocks. Born in Harpursville, NY in 1921, his formative years were in Binghamton, New York where his father was an early employee of International Time Recorder, CO. later to become IBM. An avid aviator, his first solo flight was in 1939 when he was just 18 years old. He went on to fly for the U.S. Army Air Corps as a Captain during World War II. His engineering career began in the IBM Apprentice Program in Endicott, NY where he became a certified toolmaker. Later, he would use that knowledge to help IBM pioneer the Plastics Laboratory in Poughkeepsie, NY, where he moved his family during the 1950s. He helped create IBM's Electric Typewriter Division in Kingston, NY, and led the team that invented the familiar "golf-ball" print head innovation for IBM's signature Selectrict typewriter series. He was instrumental in setting a new production plant in Lexington, KY, creating IBM's Office Product Division, which employed 14, 000 during his tenure with the firm. In 1958, after 19 years with IBM, he left to co-find Hydro Plastics, Inc. in Georgetown KY, producers of precision injection-molded parts, where the family remained until his retirement 18 years later. Edward served many years on the First Assembly of God church board in Lexington, KY and upon leaving the area, the church honored him with a lifetime trustee ship in recognition of his efforts and work connected with the completion of their new church building. Active retirement came at 52, establishing residences in Burnsville, MN; Sarasota, FL; Sun City West, AZ; Ocala, FL; and Falling Waters, WV over a 30 year period of good health before settling in Colorado Springs in 2004, where he died in his sleep early Wednesday morning. He was 84 years of age and loved by his family and friends. Funeral service, Sunday, February 19, 3:00 p.m. at Mountain View Mortuary, 2350 Montebello Square, Dr. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local Salvation Army.