Is there a Repair Technician Hall of Fame? I don't know the answer, but I do know Dale Granger-Eckert would have to be a founding member. Dale recently retired from the Circuit Technology Center after working as a senior repair technician for over 31 years. Her contributions to the world of circuit board rework and repair have been immense.
Dale came to Circuit Technology Center in the days of through-hole only with high soldering skills and a strong understanding of circuit board assembly techniques. What she did from there is remarkable.
More than her expertise, skills, and knowledge, Dale is also a genuinely great person. She is an avid runner and has competed in many marathons. She is also a major supporter of the Alzheimer's Association; see her photo running in one of the marathons to support their vital work.
The following are a few comments from her friends and fellow workers at Circuit Technology Center.
Andy Price, Senior Sales Manager, commented, "Dale is a true professional in circuit board rework and repair. She developed and pioneered many of the procedures that are now commonplace in the world of circuit board repair.
Finding a repair technician with the skill set, circuit board knowledge, patience, and ability to dissect and analyze the challenges that confront you in completing a surgeon-like circuit board repair is rare.
Her skills as a technician are only surpassed by her kind and thoughtful character. She is always willing to share her vast knowledge and help her fellow workers succeed.
Her impact in the world of electronics cannot be overstated. She works on products that support our country's defense, medical products that save lives, and telecommunications products that continue to keep us informed.
She is among the best that we have ever had, or ever will have."
Peter Vigneau, VP and General Manager, had more accolades for Dale. "Dale's retirement comes with mixed emotions. We're all happy for Dale, but it isn't easy to see such a great person and talent walk out the door. She will be missed for many reasons. Professionally speaking, Dale is the perfect confluence of technical aptitude, industry knowledge, a jeweler's dexterity, and a creative engineering approach to the most perplexing rework and repair challenges ever seen at Circuit Technology Center.
Put simply, Dale has contributed to the writing of the book. Fortunately for those of us who continue, Dale's patient and unselfish sharing of technique and knowledge has left us all better prepared to deal with almost any challenging rework or repair on the horizon." Comments from Jeff Ferry, President.
"Over the past three decades, we've participated as members of the IPC Repairability committee. We've submitted numerous procedures and hundreds of illustrations, now included in the IPC-7711/7721: Rework, Modification, and Repair of Electronic Assemblies. Several of the most challenging procedures were refined and documented with significant contributions from Dale Granger-Ekert, including the following:
- 4.2.6 Conductor Repair, Inner Layer Method
- 4.7.2 Surface Mount Pad Repair, Film Adhesive Method
- 4.7.3 Surface Mount, BGA Pad Repair, Film Adhesive Method
- 4.7.4 Surface Mount, BGA Pad with Integral Via Repair
- 4.7.5 Surface Mount, BGA Pad with Integral Via Repair Circuit Extension Method
These last two procedures, which deal with damage to BGA pads, are excellent examples of challenging repair procedures. Not only did Dale help define these procedures, but she also performed them herself and taught many other technicians at Circuit Technology Center how to perform them efficiently and reliably. Dale is a gem; we will miss her."
