Frances Cripps died yesterday, May 8th 2008, at high-noon in Corvallis, Oregon. She was 93 years old. She had suffered a long illness.

Why is this news in HDTV Magazine, you should rightly ask? Frances was one of many unsung heroes who played key roles in furthering HDTV. Always far-seeing and an engineer by nature, she...

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Dale, I offer my condolences to you on the loss of your mother.

As someone who has led efforts to develop new technologies, I know new ideas can't bare fruit unless people believe in the future. Without belief there is no future, and that is perhaps more truer today than at any other time in the history of humankind. We are like the Basiliscus plumifrons, sometimes called the Jesus Lizards, who run on water in Central America. They have no choice but to run because the alternative is death, and in our case it is the fear of the death of ideas that propel not just our economy, but our spirit that keeps us running.

For those who might think HDTV doesn’t matter, remember that the same HDTV that is now used to bring us mindless sitcoms is also revealing the intricacies and beauty of an almost limitless universe with high definition images from our telescopes, satellites and spacecraft. HDTV is also bringing clear and affordable images of diseased and injured bodies to doctors in remote locations. HDTV is providing a clearer picture of the world around us, reminding us of the old adage that knowledge is power, a fact that is even more true in today’s connected world.

So I salute Frances Cripps for her generosity that helped to push an important technology a little bit forward, and in so doing keeping us all afloat.

Henry

My condolences as well.

And my three cheers for apparently a life well lived, loved, and an inspiration to all those who are sometimes overwhelmed in life and thinking they can not have a strong positive effect.

This is a story I will carry to my three daughters, and others.

Dale, thanks for sharing your family story - I had no idea how far back this went.

Dale,

I was saddened to read about your mothers passing. My condolences. I know how difficult it is to lose someone so close. Rest easy knowing her suffering is over and she’s in a better place. God bless.

My condolences as well. I share the sentiments of those who have posted above me...

Dale,

I just saw the notice about your mother's passing and wanted to send my condolences.

Jeff hart

My deepest condolences, Dale. Your mother was a good person and she will be remembered.