Obituary: Malcolm ‘Mac’ Romeiser

Malcolm ‘Mac’ Romeiser

Malcolm ‘Mac’ Romeiser

Malcolm “Mac” Romeiser, 83, valiantly fought against a cruel disease for three years, but succumbed on Sept. 29, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. He loved to laugh, most especially at himself, and his family is comforted by remembering their many “Dad stories,” such as when he first moved to Arizona and was excited to attend a quick-draw contest. His chagrin at realizing the competition utilized pencils and not pistols resulted in many years of ribbing by friends and family.

He was most proud of his 30 years of contributions in telecommunications research and development during Bell Telephone Laboratories heydays in the 1960s to 1980s. He worked on a variety of transmission technologies and was passionate about the development of optical fiber systems technology. He led a research group in the 1980s whose work demonstrating the value of fiber optics in telecommunications transmissions contributed to the explosive growth in high-speed communications the world has experienced in the last 30 years, including telephone, internet and cable television. After his retirement from Bellcore he moved west and became a professor of engineering in Prescott, Arizona, at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where he authored a textbook on fiber optics. In his second career, he loved developing the next generation of engineers and working with students to achieve their potential. He also loved to sing and was a dedicated member of his church choir and the Yavapai College Master Chorale.

When he became sick, his greatest regrets were no longer being able to teach and to sing — and to play golf. He was a loving and generous father, uncle, grandfather, friend, mentor and teacher, always putting others first. He is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, two children, five grandchildren, a nephew, two nieces, many friends in Arizona and New Jersey, and the hundreds of his students who are now contributing to the world using their own special talents. If the measure of a man is how much he will be missed, he was a very great man.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 13, 2018, at the Yavapai Hills HOA Clubhouse.

Information provided by survivors.


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