Jon Johnston Passes

[mfleming]

Here's the text of the HP alumni association announcement

[HPAA Remembrance] Jon Johnston - San Diego, Australia, HP Computer Museum

Jon Johnston, founder of the independent HP Computer Museum in Australia, died in a mountain climbing accident on Shishapangma, one of the world's tallest mountains, in preparation for a third attempt at Everest. He had also reached the summit of Aconcagua in the Andes, and climbed Mt Elbrus, a volcano in Russia.

Jon joined HP-San Diego in 1983 as a regional support engineer. He moved with HP to Australia in 1989 as the market development manager for the Peripherals Group. He started his own HP integration business in 1992. "HP was a great company to do business with. The company treated its business partners as ethically as it treated its customers and employees."

"These machines came from my customers who were retiring them. I also began acquiring items from HP employees, ex-HP employees and on the internet. We sold our business in 2002, and I began developing the museum."
http://www.hpmuseum.net

"In addition to the very accurate listing of HP's computer production, the website offers a download service containing a huge quantity of original HP software. A great contribution to the HP computer collector community."
http://hpmemoryproject.org

"...more than 500 pieces of HP hardware.. more than 1,300 documents... more than a dozen videos, including TV commercials and videos..."
http://www.sfgate.com/business/article/C...603245.php

The 2116A, HP's first minicomputer, celebrates its 50th birthday on November 7, 2016. A 2116A has been restored by David Collins. In this video, Jon introduces and David demonstrates:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kko526UpHsM

"In July, we'll organise something fantastic so we can all come together and pay tribute to our intrepid mountaineer and friend. I know it's a cliché, but Jon died doing what filled his soul, surrounded by unspeakable beauty. We all knew the risks. He was at the top of his game. He left knowing he was deeply loved."
--Jon's wife, Susan.