(Possibly) interesting provenance of HP-15C manual

[Benjer]

About a month ago I finally obtained an HP-15C with Owner's Handbook and Advanced Functions Handbook via eBay. Both the seller and I resided in Corvallis so he delivered the items directly to me.

The calculator is of course very interesting to me but the name written on the cover of the Owner's Handbook (Eric Evett) is what stood out. It turns out that one Eric A. Evett was one of the authors of Pocket Scientific Calculator Extends Range of Built-In Functions, and the sole author of A Pocket Calculator for Computer Science Professionals," both found in the May 1983 issue of the Hewlett-Packard journal. One can't help but wonder if this is the same person. Mr. Evett also resided in Corvallis and seems to have been involved with the development of the HP-15C. Certainly, there may have been more than one Eric Evett in Corvallis who owned an HP-15C.

The Advanced Functions Handbook has a different name, A.H. Robinson, and such a person seems to have been involved with nuclear engineering research at Oregon State University (also in Corvallis) in the early 80s, so it's not unreasonable to believe such a person would've purchased this handbook. I haven't been able to find more information about him, though.

Thought that'd be interesting to share.

[Dave Shaffer]

(08-24-2020 11:39 PM)Benjer Wrote:  The Advanced Functions Handbook has a different name, A.H. Robinson, and such a person seems to have been involved with nuclear engineering research at Oregon State University (also in Corvallis) in the early 80s, so it's not unreasonable to believe such a person would've purchased this handbook. I haven't been able to find more information about him, though.

Yahoo/google are your friends - a quick search found this: https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/...48afd.html

Looks like you are a bit late to try getting in touch with him.

[Benjer]

Wow, what a life he led.

Thanks for finding that, Dave.

[StephenG1CMZ]

(08-25-2020 01:59 PM)Dave Shaffer Wrote:  

(08-24-2020 11:39 PM)Benjer Wrote:  The Advanced Functions Handbook has a different name, A.H. Robinson, and such a person seems to have been involved with nuclear engineering research at Oregon State University (also in Corvallis) in the early 80s, so it's not unreasonable to believe such a person would've purchased this handbook. I haven't been able to find more information about him, though.

Yahoo/google are your friends - a quick search found this: https://www.gazettetimes.com/news/local/...48afd.html

Looks like you are a bit late to try getting in touch with him.

That website isn't available to Europe for legal reasons (including the UK, despite Brexit).GDPR protects data.

[pinkman]

(08-25-2020 05:23 PM)StephenG1CMZ Wrote:  That website isn't available to Europe for legal reasons (including the UK, despite Brexit).GDPR protects data.

Error message in Europe:

Quote:451: Unavailable due to legal reasons

We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time. For any issues, contact adh.online@lee.net or call 877-576-4664.

[Steve Simpkin]

(08-25-2020 09:26 PM)pinkman Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 05:23 PM)StephenG1CMZ Wrote:  That website isn't available to Europe for legal reasons (including the UK, despite Brexit).GDPR protects data.

Error message in Europe:

Quote:451: Unavailable due to legal reasons

We recognize you are attempting to access this website from a country belonging to the European Economic Area (EEA) including the EU which enforces the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and therefore access cannot be granted at this time. For any issues, contact adh.online@lee.net or call 877-576-4664.

From the website:

October 25, 1934 – April 23, 2020
Alan Hadley Robinson, 85, a resident of Corvallis since 1966, passed away in his sleep at Willamette Springs Memory Care on Thursday, April 23, 2020, after a decline from Parkinson’s disease.

Alan is survived by his wife, Kay Conrad Robinson, a resident of Conifer House, his sons from marriage to the late Grace Robinson, Alan Robinson, Jr. of San Diego, California, and William N. Robinson (Julie Dolan) of Atlanta, Georgia, and grandson, Thomas Robinson of Atlanta. He is also survived by his stepchildren Shauna Smith of Portland and Jim Smith (Kelly Lomax) of Lake Oswego from his marriage to the late Gail Smith Robinson. The eldest of four children of Walter Hadley Robinson and Mariana Webster Robinson, he is survived by his brothers Myles Robinson (Elinor) of Aberdeen, Washington, Jared Robinson of Camano Island, Washington, half-sister, Caroline Sanders (Lee) of Seattle, Washington, and several nieces and nephews.

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Alan enjoyed his summers camping in the Adirondacks, California, and Washington. He raced sailboats with his father on the Chesapeake Bay and Columbia River. He built cars and ran track in high school in Tunkhannock, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1951. Following his father and grandparents, Louis and Caroline Robinson, he graduated Swarthmore College in 1955.

He flew A-4 jets in the Marines, serving from 1956 to 1960, attaining the rank of Captain. While in flight school at Pensacola, Florida, Alan met and married Grace. Alan earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering from Stanford University in 1965, with the goal of transitioning from coal burning, which he saw as destructive to his home countryside of Pennsylvania.

Alan was hired by the new Nuclear Engineering program at Oregon State University in 1966. He helped shape the Health Physics and Nuclear Engineering programs at OSU and chaired the department from 1987 to 1996. Consulting for the government at the Hanford Site and other nuclear installations, he lobbied against the closing of the Trojan Nuclear Power in the early 1990s. Alan retired from OSU in 1995.

Alan was a member of the Benton County Amateur Radio Emergency Service. He was a volunteer crime analyst for the Corvallis police department. An avid OSU supporter, Alan and Kay were long time season ticket holders for Beaver football, women’s gymnastics, and basketball. They endowed a scholarship in Nuclear Science and Engineering. Alan enjoyed horse trail rides, hunting, camping, fishing, flying, cars, boating, ham radio, and various intellectual pursuits.

The family would like to thank his many helpful friends and the staff, aides, and nurses at New Horizon’s Home Care, Stoney Brook Assisted Living, Conifer House, Willamette Springs Memory Care, and Lumina Hospice, as well as the various healthcare personnel who cared for Alan over the years on trips to, from, and at Good Sam.

A memorial service may be held at a later date due to the pandemic. Online condolences for the family may be posted at mchenryfuneralhome.com or memorial contributions can be made to the Alan and Kay Robinson Endowed Scholarship at Oregon State University or the Semper Fi Fund.

[Jlouis]

Looks like he was a good man and have achieved success in life.

And had good taste, owning the best calculator ever .

May he rest in peace.

Cheers

JL

[grsbanks]

(08-25-2020 05:23 PM)StephenG1CMZ Wrote:  That website isn't available to Europe for legal reasons (including the UK, despite Brexit).GDPR protects data.

*cough* *cough* NordVPN... *cough*

[Massimo Gnerucci]

(08-28-2020 07:57 PM)grsbanks Wrote:  

(08-25-2020 05:23 PM)StephenG1CMZ Wrote:  That website isn't available to Europe for legal reasons (including the UK, despite Brexit).GDPR protects data.

*cough* *cough* NordVPN... *cough*

Surfshark here.