Jul 24, 2014 It is with great sadness that IPC announces the passing of Dieter Bergman, IPC staff member for more than 40 years.
Decorated with countless awards over his lifetime, Bergman’s name will forever be synonymous with IPC and he leaves a legacy of friendships, lasting memories, and what is affectionately treasured by IPC staff and close friends as “Dieter-isms” — such as a 45-minute answer to a 10-second question.
Bergman began his career in 1956 as a designer for Philco Ford in Philadelphia, Pa. He assumed the position of supervisor of the printed circuit design group in 1967, and joined the company’s advanced technology group where he specialized in printed circuit computer-aided design. In 1962, while at Philco Ford, he became the company’s official representative to IPC; and received the IPC President’s Award in 1968, the same year he assumed chairmanship of the IPC Design Committee.
Bergman was elected Chairman of the IPC Technical Activities Executive Committee in 1974, and later that year joined the IPC staff as Technical Director. In that role, he was responsible for the coordination of standards, specifications and guidelines development; round robin test programs; establishment of workshops and seminars; serving as a government and inter-society liaison; and initiating IPC activities in Europe and Asia.
In 1984, he became Director of Technology Transfer to help foster the interchange between design and manufacturing, and to continue to serve as a leader in the identification of future technologies and industry needs.
While Bergman had a special place in his heart for the design community, his contributions to the industry as a whole earned him the IPC Hall of Fame Award, IPC’s highest honor, in 1985.
Most recently, Bergman chaired the IPC Ambassador Council, a group of IPC Hall of Famers who provide advice and guidance to IPC, and encourage active participation in IPC activities by all of its members to enhance the electronics industry.
“The staff and I feel very fortunate to have known Dieter, and have benefited from his knowledge and his passion for the industry,” said IPC President and CEO John Mitchell. “He will be missed, but always remembered as an icon, pioneer and friend.”
IPC (www.IPC.org) is a global industry association based in Bannockburn, Ill., dedicated to the competitive excellence and financial success of its 3,500 member companies which represent all facets of the electronics industry, including design, printed board manufacturing, electronics assembly and test. As a member-driven organization and leading source for industry standards, training, market research and public policy advocacy, IPC supports programs to meet the needs of an estimated $2 trillion global electronics industry. IPC maintains additional offices in Taos, N.M.; Washington, D.C..; Stockholm, Sweden; Moscow, Russia; Bangalore and New Delhi, India; Bangkok, Thailand; and Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Chengdu and Beijing, China.
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