Edward Mazurek

Ever since my high school days, I was always interested in electronics. I studied at RCA Institutes and, after graduating in 1960 (T3 Course, computer option), I began my employment with IBM in Peekskill, NY. Six months later, our department transferred to San Jose, California and I was offered to go with them, which, of course, I accepted. Working and enjoying life there was a new and exciting experience. My responsibilities included maintaining a laboratory where we developed an Analog to Digital Converter. They were a lot bigger then when compared to the integrated circuits of today. My first ski trip was to Squaw Valley where I had my first lesson. Some time later, a trip to Tijuana, Mexico was the first time I was out of the country.

About two years later, and looking to find greener pastures somewhere else, I decided to leave California to return to the East Coast where I obtained employment with a start-up company in New Jersey (Applied Electronics), testing Telemetry equipment to be used in missiles and other spacecraft. The work was interesting and educational but, after about two years, the company lost all of its government contracts and everyone was let go. Being on the unemployment line for a few weeks was not a pleasant experience but shortly thereafter (1994) I applied at Bell Telephone Labs in Holmdel, NJ. At first, I was somewhat disappointed going from working with the latest state of art electronic instruments to learning about relay logic circuitry relating to telephone networks. I almost quit soon after I started but later was convinced by my employer to be more patient. Our department was looking to replace the “Old Art” of using relays with the “New Art” using transistors.

While at Bell Labs, I earned two U.S. patents pertaining to protecting the telephone network with circuitry I designed. In addition, as a volunteer project for the Pioneers, I devised a method to use a simple pocket (AM) radio rewired to serve as an Audio Aid for people with impaired hearing who could not afford a hearing aid. After Articles on this project were published in magazines, newspapers and mentioned on radio and TV, hundreds of these units were constructed and distributed by volunteers.

Throughout my career there, I advanced from Technical Aid to Member of Technical Staff in less than sixteen years. My most recent work was evaluating the latest Central Office products for Compliance with Domestic (FCC) and International Regulations. To educate others to perform this function, I wrote Test Procedures for use with the latest Spectrum Analyzers and customized instrumentation to simplify the process. Working at Bell Labs was the correct decision for me because I have been there ever since, at the same location, finally retiring in December, 2006. Actually, I first retired in December 1989 but continued there as a contract employee for the next 17 years.

While at Bell Labs, I went on weekend ski trips to Vermont, Maine, Canada, NY, and NH over a thirty year span. Also took field trips to Washington (both Seattle and D.C.), Florida several times, Ohio, Maine, Illinois, and other places through the USA. I made many friends during that time whom I continue to meet with (or at least communicate with) on a regular basis.

Vacations have taken me on a week long trip around Nantucket with friends, in addition to traveling with relatives to Alaska, Grand Canyon, and the Gold Coast of California.

These trips were with a well known Tour Company which included a lot of pleasant extra surprises.

Now that I am fully retired, I am looking forward to tending to my vegetable garden and enjoying life to its fullest along with some fine wine and great friendships.