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Thomas A. 'Tom' Kalogerson Jr Oklahoma City, OK QCWA # 9618 Chapter 8 |
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Thomas Arthur Kalogerson passed peacefully in his home to be with the Lord on December 21, 2017. He was born to Selma and Thomas Kalogerson on May 26, 1928 in Minneapolis Minnesota. He currently resided in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Elayne Thorsell, and his wife of 45 years Julianne Kalogerson. He is survived by his children Debi Quick, Donald Kalogerson, and his stepsons Don Hintz, David Hintz, and Dale Hintz, many grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Tom was a graduate of the University of Minnesota in 1950 after also attending Carleton College in Northfield. His degree was in Electrical Engineering. He missed the draft for WWII by eleven days but served in the Army during the Korean War as a high speed operator for the Pentagon Communication Center for the Army radio stations WAR and MARS. He was a corporal. He had received his HAM radio license in 1948 with call letters W0WJA and he built all his own radio equipment.
Tom's working career began in 1953 when he was employed by General Mills as a Production Engineer. That work involved a contract with the Air Force on their B-47 bomber which was an advanced bomb site for the B-52 bomber. Next he was transferred to the Research dept. to work with a German scientist Hans Schauberg to develop a guidance control system for the Snark missile. From there he was transferred to the Nuclear Handling Equipment group of the Mechanical Division which promoted a Mechanical Arm used in the hot lab work to manipulate nuclear material safely. About the time Tom received his private pilot license he also began work for Magnetic Controls where his temperature controls for the military aerospace industry were very successful and they were the sole suppliers for the Polaris Missile Program. From 1966-1973 Tom ran Optimizer Control Corp where he advanced Dr. Paul Schweitzer.s patents on automotive spark timing and carburetor air fuel control. This lead to Tom.s 4 patents- the most important being the Polimeter, a pollution device which sold 100,000 units in California alone. It reduced hydrocarbon emissions to meet air quality standards. The other patents he developed were the Windshield Wiper Delay, Auto Anti Theft Device, and Speed Shift Indicator. In 1974 Tom formed Kaltron Company to hold his patents and he operated this consulting business until his passing. The position he took with American Bosch as area manager brought him and Julie to move to Oklahoma City. That work involved selling and trouble shooting compressor engines used in the gas and oil industry. Tom.s many contributions to the military, war safety, environmental health and the automotive industry are a testament to his meaningful life and caring nature. He had many hobbies and interests in his personal life and was a pianist, Mason, long standing Shriner, and a devout Lutheran. He will be missed by many people and his work will live on.
A memorial service will be held 2 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2018 in the Chapel Hill Funeral Home Chapel with interment following in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.