Edward Hobson II, Past SMPTE President, Dies

Edward P. Hobson, II, vice president of National TeleConsultants and former SMPTE president, died on Jan. 28 in Nevada City, Calif., after a long illness. He was 59 years old.

Hobson had been involved in broadcasting-related activities for more than 35 years, beginning at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s WRPI radio while he was a student at the school. He began his professional career with Capital Cities Communications and later joined the Grass Valley Group, spending 13 years with the company in the areas of field service, sales management and marketing. Hobson also worked for Graham-Patten Systems and at Sony Electronics.

He was co-founder of Omneon Video Networks and joined National TeleConsultants in 2002. Hobson was a fellow of SMPTE and was actively involved with that organization throughout his career, holding the positions of governor, governor-at-large, secretary/treasurer and editorial vice president. He was SMPTE president in 2005-2006. Hobson was also a fellow of the British Kinematograph Sound and Television Society.

Funeral services are planned for 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 2 in Nevada City. A memorial service is scheduled on Feb. 16 in Mercerville, N.J. Contributions in memory of Ed Hobson may be sent to the

Hospice of the Foothills

or

the American Cancer Society

.