Every two years the IEEE DEIS selects an individual in recognition of sustained leadership, support, and contributions to the advancement of the field of electrical insulation and dielectrics. This award, which was first given in 1992, is named in honor of the late Eric O. Forster for his distinguished service on behalf of DEIS. The award is restricted to DEIS members. It is made biennially, generally at the Conference on Electrical Insulation and Dielectric Phenomena, although the recipient has the prerogative of requesting that the award be made at an alternative DEIS-sponsored event.
Dr. Eric Forster was a tireless volunteer of the IEEE DEIS during its formative years, and held many posts including: conference chair, DEIS treasurer and DEIS vice-president at various times from 1974 to 1990. He was also instrumental in the creation of three DEIS conferences: ICDL, ICPADM and ISD. Dr. Forster spent most of his career working for Exxon studying dielectric liquids.
The DEIS seeks nominations for the 2021 Eric O. Forster Award. The nominator should clearly outline the contributions made by the nominee to the DEIS. The nominator should also provide the nominee’s CV and the written support for the nomination of at least two DEIS members.
Nominations can be submitted via e-mail to the Chair of the DEIS Awards Committee, Greg Stone at [email protected]. The deadline for nominations is January 31, 2021.
Past Recipients of DEIS Distinguished Service Award
1979 | Joseph Perkins | 1987 | Arend van Roggen |
1981 | Ken Mathes | 1988 | John Tanaka |
1983 | Eric Forster | 1989 | Phil Alexander |
1985 | Emanuel Brancato | 1990 | Scott Hurley, Jr. |
1991 | Edward Boulter |
In 1992 the award was renamed the Award Eric O. Forster Distinguished Service Award
1992 | Frank Campbell | 1997 | Sachio Yasafuku |
1993 | Gregory Stone | 1998 | Keith Nelson |
1994 | Ronald Sampson | 1999 | Clive Reed |
1995 | Tor Orbeck | 2000 | Rueben Hackam |
1996 | Alan Cookson | 2001 | Aime S. DeReggi |
2002 | Yoshimichi Ohki |
In 2003 it was decided to give the award every two years. No award was given in 2003
2005 | John J. Shea | 2013 | William McDermid |
2007 | Alexander Bulinski | 2015 | Hulya Kirkici |
2009 | John Berberian | 2017 | Resi Zarb |
2011 | Robert Hebner | 2019 | Frank Hegeler |