Attention all ACMS Inc members and supporters –  May 18th

The family of John Deane has advised that John passed away last Thursday, May 14th.  

 

John’s daughter Helen has provided this statement: 

My father John Deane passed away on the morning of Thursday 14th May peacefully in his own bed holding my Mum’s hand. Dad had been having some trouble with his memory and health for some time, but in his usual fashion, kept it to himself until he wasn’t able to anymore. A year ago he was formally diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, although we and the doctor suspected he had been covering it up for some time. This is testimony to his mental strength and dignity of character. In recent weeks his health had deteriorated rapidly, but he never lost his sense of humour and insisted he was just a bit tired. He was an accomplished scientist, but more than that he was a gracious, gentle and kind hearted man. 

In these strange times, funerals are limited to small numbers meaning that not everyone that wants to see off this fine man will be able to. In lieu of this, if anyone would like to share stories of his life or offer condolences, please feel welcome to contact me. It would be of great comfort to the family.

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Helen kindly added this, for the ACMS: I know how committed he was to the ACMS cause and I am only sorry that he never got to see it come to fruition.  

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I (John Webster) have offered our condolences to the Deane family in their loss of John, and added:

It is unfortunate that John’s illness meant that we were unable to visit him. 

I am sure he’d have enjoyed meeting our recent ACMS newcomers, many of whom knew of his career, especially his WiFi involvement at CSIRO, about his involvement in the ACMS and the contributions he made, especially while President for many years, and financially too.  They wished they could meet him.

John contributed to and authored many articles of computer history. Max Burnet, Bob Moran, Graeme Philipson and Matthew Connell were some who praised his knowledge and writings and asked after him.

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Helen Deane spoke with me this morning: John’s funeral will take place later this week. The pandemic effect will limit funeral attendance, but also the CSIRO is apparently well to the fore, and the funeral will be recorded (video, I believe). No doubt there will be a rerun of WiFi development history broadcast soon.

 

During the bushfire epidemic, and then the pandemic, and even before those – during the time we were preparing to retrieve JFD’s collection – I asked members to funnel contact with the Deane’s through me.

Helen Deane is willing to accept phone calls now, though I’d suggest leaving unimportant matters until after this week. She mentions “condolences, and stories of his life” above – her mobile is 0438-871-077. 

After a reasonable break, we shall need to retrieve the final portions of John’s collection at Blackheath.

 

Feel free to contact me about these matters (preferably before midnight!)

John Webster    ACMS Hon.Sec.          02 9743-4279    0434-196-897  

Retro computing enthusiasts will be welcome to participate in the operation of the museum and encouraged to engage in the quest for a full complement of the history of computing in Australia.

From the early days of valve machines, to the mini-computers of the 70’s, to the bedroom revolution of home PC’s – the history of computers is a rich, fascinating and compelling tale.

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