W. Eli Strich

He was surrounded by his family including his wife of 67 years, Ruth Strich, and his children, Gabrielle Strich Katz, Gideon Strich and Michael Strich, as well as several of his grandchildren.

He will be remembered for his pioneering work in telecommunications, first at Bell Laboratories where he was instrumental in the revolution from analog to digital electronics, developing the touch tone phone and the first electronic telephone satellite. He rose to the level of director at AT&T corporate and oversaw the first wireless loop project, the predecessor to today’s cellular telephones. After retiring from ATT he moved to La Jolla and had a second career with Hughes Communications, UCSD and finally with Qualcomm until his final retirement at age 78.

Eli loved theater, and classical music and opera, and he and Ruth were supporters of the local theater and opera. He also had a great interest in art and acquired a large collection of Inuit sculpture and lithographs. He was an inspiring example to all those with whom he had contact, embodying the qualities of strength, persistence, compassion and integrity. Perhaps his greatest quality was that he brought out the best in people and always encouraged them to fulfill their highest potential. He touched the lives of so many people and will be greatly missed.