Jon Harmon
I worked as a Field Engineer for DG in the western US in the 70's and 80's, and Buzz bailed us out of many logistics issues. He was simply amazing about knowing exactly what the parts were, what they did and what they were used in, how many there were and where, and how to get them to us fastest. Tell us to order two, because that particular part tended to be, ah, unreliable... He'd be right and we'd be glad to have another one in hand and not have to wait another day or two for it. Helped us achieve the Customer Satisfaction that we were all measured by - bacon saved!
He would rattle off the top of his head what sounded like an overly specific opinion and others would go "yeah, right", but then he'd pull out the 6 inch thick green-bar line printer paper report, flip through the pages to find the line and he'd be EXACTLY right. Blew me away every time. I learned to smile and listen/watch peoples' reactions - great entertainment value... You all know that deep voice and cagey smile!
I always felt that Buzz was underappreciated by his management. They were utterly unable to match his excellence and I think they couldn't even comprehend it. They'd think Buzz was full of it, but then he'd be proven right which made them look bad because they'd contradicted him. Idiots. You'd think they'd learn to trust Buzz, but I guess egos were involved.
A few times a year I'd visit MA for training or meetings. I'd look him up and introduce him to some of my classmates/co-workers in tow. He'd hear their names, shake their hands, then repeat the names back with their badge numbers - which were everything in the DG world, had to be on everything - like a legal signature. They were dumbfounded, of course, and maybe even a bit spooked.
While I was in town, we'd find time to go have a drink and dinner, and have a long conversation about ... everything. He would NEVER allow me to pick up the (meager) tab as I was on company expenses and that would have been, well, unethical.
At this point I don't even remember what caused be to think of Buzz a while ago that made me look him up online. I just know that I feel privileged to have known him, and I will forever cherish these memories. Great guy, among the best!
--- Jon Harmon, Scottsdale AZ @ DG 1974-1995