It has been a little bit since I have updated my site, and for that I am sorry. My schedule has become quite hectic and throw in a move, and the passing of a family member and things just go off the rails.
But today I want to pay tribute to the person my family lost at the end of September. My cover page when you sign into my site here is that of my Uncle Andy. The photo is from a boat ride in Maine the day after my cousin Dan was married. Uncle Andy passed away on Sept 20, 2017 at the age of 62.
Many have heard of the PHANTOM High Speed Camera, and Vision Research Company who produces them. But I am lucky enough to be related to the pioneers of Digital High Speed Photography. My uncle Andy Jantzen was one of those original pioneers.
My father Art, Uncle Andy, and their sister, my Aunt Connie took over the family's high speed film business after my Grandpa Charlie passed away in 1980. For the next 12 years the trio would build and sell cameras under the name Photographic Analysis Company. as the 1990s approached, they saw where not only the film and camera industry was going, but the world of slow-motion high speed photography was also, they were going digital.
Photo Analysis found Mr. Alexandru Aciu, a Romanian engineer, to develop the needed sensors for processing the high speed digital videos. The three siblings and Mr. Aciu reorganized Photo Analysis into Vision Research Inc. and in 1992 introduced the world to The PHANTOM Camera.
The company itself grew exponentially from 1990 into the 2000's and the family run business was then sold to AMETEK. It was a short while later that my Aunt Connie and my father would retire. My Uncle Andy worked as CEO and then Director of New Product Development. He would go on to win an Oscar for his work with the cameras and was pivotal in expanding the line from the Science and Research world into the Professional Sports and Movie Industries. After 33 years of dedication my Uncle Andy retired in 2013.
Andy will always be remembered as a humorous, sarcastic, generous, and creative person. He was admired for his ethic that nothing was unachievable. He was an avid wooden boat builder. He loved the outdoors. He was a dedicated and loving father to my cousins Phillip, Daniel and Stephanie. A second father to Claire amongst others. Finally he was the devout husband to my Aunt Linda.
My uncle will be missed by many. He was a person who in many ways have touched the lives of countless people, and along with his family and friends truly reshaped how we see parts of the world.
This is a link to the Vision Research Website and their tribute to my uncle.
http://www.phantomhighspeed.com/About-VRI/History/Tribute-to-Andy-Jantzen