The Industry Loses an Icon

Gene F. Wakefield Passed away on November 29, 2009 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. He was born on December 22, 1933 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He is survived by his wife, LaJuana. He leaves behind a daughter, Marvel Wakefield (Los Angeles, CA), two brothers, John Wakefield (Crawford, CO) and Roy Wakefield (Truckee, CA), three sisters, Lila Craig (Colorado Springs, CO), Mary Alyce Krist (Ft. Collins, CO) and Margaret Ann Foss (Buffalo, WY).

Gene received his Bachelor of Science degree from Colorado State University, a Ph.D. from Iowa State University and an M.B.A. from Southern Methodist University. He was employed by Texas Instruments for 20 years. He has been employed by VLSIP Technologies, Inc. for 25 years and in most recent years as President and CEO.

Gene Wakefield is recognized in the international technical community as a pioneer in semiconductor technology. In his 50 years as a scientist and technologist, Gene made major contributions in this field, including substantial research and development in semiconductor epitaxial wafer processing, which is still a core technology today. Additionally, Gene achieved technical advances in semiconductor Gallium arsenide, used today in very high-speed communications, relentlessly pursued solar energy and its applications, and led VLSIP Technologies, Inc.’s successful entry into implanted medical electronics. Gene F. Wakefield leaves a legacy of accomplishments including a great number of patents issued to him in the United States and in other countries.

Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday December 3, 2009 at First Baptist Church of Plano, 1300 East 15th Street, Plano, Texas 75074. Gravesite at Restland Memorial Park to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Paul DeGroat Fund, First Baptist Church of Plano.