Bob Fitzgerald started part-time at Tektronix in 1958 as janitor while attending the University of Portland. In Tektronix, The Early Days by Frank Hood, Frank writes " In 1950, a summer employee was hired as janitor. He later went on to become the company president. This man's name was Bob Fitzgerald."

Our earliest photo of Bob is this 1950 photo which shows a large shipment of 511AD oscilloscopes from the Hawthorne building. The individuals are Paul Belles, Bob Fitzgerald, and Howard Gault.

 

This July 6, 1954 TekTalk article features Bob.

This employee photo of his sister Eve, as mentioned in the previous article, is from the 1962 photo album.

 

In 1954, Bob married Jane Grace. Both Bob and Jane worked in the Purchasing Department. These employee photos are from the 1954 photo album.

 

This November 16, 1962 TekWeek article announces Bob's appointment as Vice President of Operations - 12 years from janitor to VP.

 

A series of articles written about Tektronix philosophy were originally published in the December 1960, February 1961, February 1962, April 1962, and January/February 1963 issues of TekTalk.  They were later reprinted into a single document.  Bob Fitzgerald's article starts on page 6. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

In this May 21, 1963 Tektronix Newsletter, Bob provides more details about the Tektronix Payroll Savings Bond program. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

In this December 6, 1963 issue of Scope Scoop, Bob provides more details about the application for listing the company on the NY Stock Exchange.

 

In this October 23, 1964 Tektronix Newsletter, Bob announced the formation of the office of International Operations. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

This January 10, 1966 Electronic News article features an executive profile of Bob. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

In this June 2, 1966 IOC, Bob clarifies the use of the Council Lunchrooms. Click on the image to view the PDF.

 

This October 25, 1968 TekWeek article features Bob awarding 20th anniversary pins.

 

This November 15, 1968 TekWeek features his 20th anniversary pin from Howard.

 

We have two executive photos of Bob, both undated.

 

Bob resigned from the company the following year in 1969 to pursue a career in public service but remained on the Tektronix Board of Directors. This paragraph from the 1970 Annual Report mentions that Bob will continue as a member of the board but no longer be an Officer in the company.

 

This January 12, 1973 TekWeek article announces Bob's resignation from the Board of Directors.

 

The 1986 Winning With People: The First 40 Years of Tektronix book has several references to Bob and are combined in this document. Click n the image to view the PDF.

 

This April 7, 1989 Tekweek article announces Bob's passing.