Felix C. Porter Caruthers Jr. ’38

PHIL CARUTHERS, renowned pioneer in the automation of machine tools, died of cancer Jan. 13, 1991. He is survived by his wife of 51 years, the former Jeanne Tunstall and their son, Felix P. III, and his family. He and Jeanne had built a beautiful retirement home in Three Rivers, Calif., in 1982 themselves. He rowed on our Varsity Crew sophomore year, joined Court Club, and graduated with honors in electrical engineering. He then joined EBASCO and advanced to assistant to the president. In 1943 he entered the Navy and was responsible for three Sperry radar plants, where his innovative testing procedures won three "E" awards and demonstrated his practical, innovative, and leadership attributes.

In 1946 he joined Sam Thompson '37's company, where he developed a tapecontrolled precision turret lathe, the first in the field, and later the "Specialmatic" control center for machine tools, which could be programmed by the operator on the job. The Smithsonian has on display a "Specialmatic," several of his inventions, and a record of his career. His book ADAPTIVE CONTROL SYSITXS is a required text in Princeton's Graduate School of Engineering. His classmates recognized his accomplishments through the Class Distinguished service Award in 1986.

We offer our deep sympathy to his family and share their loss.

The Class of 1938