Talmage Eugene Sollenberger

Talmage E. Sollenberger died peacefully at the age of 95 on April 23rd, 2011 In Houston, Texas. He was born December 30, 1915 in Manchester, Indiana. He was the oldest of six children. The Sollenberger family migrated to Norman, Oklahoma, where his father taught at the University of Oklahoma. Talmage received most of his education in Norman and graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology. He pursued two masters’ degree programs: first at Texas A&M University and then at the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. He earned post-graduate degrees in both physics and electrical engineering. He served as a lieutenant in the Air Force during WWII and was stationed in England where he participated in the development and enhancement of radar technology. He met his wife, Barbara Parkinson, during his studies at the University of Illinois. They were married December 20, 1947 in Urbana, Illinois. They moved to Florida where Talmage helped to develop the radar tracking systems for the space program, and then relocated to southern California where he was Director of Research for Interstate Electronics. In 1968 Talmage and Barbara bought a farm near Springfield, Illinois where he taught math, physics, and electronics at Lincoln Land Community College. Talmage and Barbara were married for 34 years until her passing in 1981 from cancer. They had one son, Kent, born to them in 1952. Kent and his wife, Donna, currently live in Sugar Land, Texas. Talmage is survived by two grandsons, Blake and Bradley; a granddaughter, Shannon Woodruff; and a great-grandson, Jack. Talmage was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A graveside service will be held on May 2nd at 10:00 AM at the Waverly Cemetery in Waverly, Illinois. Bisch and Son Funeral Home, Springfield, is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers the family requests a memorial gift be made to the American Family Children’s Hospital, 600 Highland Ave., H4/810, Madison, WI 53792-8350.

Please visit the online obituary at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com where tributes and condolences may be left for the family.