George Franklin Waters
Friday, December 17, 1920
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Age:
94 years old
Celebration of Life
Date: Wednesday June 17, 2015
Time: 4:00 pm
Location: Calvary Episcopal Church [ view map ]
Reception
A location change has occurred for the reception which follows the service. Reception will now take place at the Plummer House, 1091 Plummer Lane SW, Rochster, MN 55902 starting at 6:30 p.m.
Friday, December 17, 1920
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Age:
94 years old
Friday, December 17, 1920
Date of Death:
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Age:
94 years old
George Franklin Waters
George Franklin Waters died at his home on Wednesday, June 10, 2015. He was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where his father’s company, Waters-Genter, brought to the world the first automatic pop-up Toastmaster. He attended The Blake School, Harvard College, MIT (Air Corps, Meteorology), and Harvard Business School. He served as a 1st Lieutenant, Army Air Force in India during World War II.
After the war, he married Jean Dain of Minneapolis. Shortly thereafter the couple moved to Rochester, where George became sales manager of his father’s company, Waters-Conley. The company manufactured phonographs and home milk pasteurizers.In 1954, he founded Waters Instruments, Inc., which pioneered non-invasive measurements of heart lung function as developed by Mayo Clinic. The company also provided subcontract work for IBM. He retired in 1992.
A parishioner and former vestry member of Calvary Episcopal Church, he was also a member of the Minneapolis Club, University Club of Chicago, the Harvard Club of New York and Boston, Rochester Golf and Country Club, and University Club of Rochester. He was a long-time Rotarian.
George was active in Rochester community activities and served on several boards. He was especially proud of being a founder, and later president, of Rochester Industrial Opportunities, Inc., which was instrumental in bringing an IBM plant to the city. For many years his favorite pleasures were skiing, tennis, racquetball, bird hunting, fly fishing, hiking at his cabin on Lake Superior, and travel.
Impressed by a 1955 Life magazine article proclaiming the forthcoming “Franklin Papers,” George began an abiding and almost obsessive interest in the life, writings, and legacy of Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was a major source of inspiration throughout his life. George was a founding member and director of the Friends of Franklin, Inc., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He gave many talks about Franklin, and his impersonations of Franklin were well known. He donated his entire collection of Franklin’s writings to the Bakken Museum where they are prominently displayed in the Franklin Room.
He has three daughters, Dain Waters, of Boston, Brenda Waters, M.D., of Huntington, VT, Anne Waters, Psy.D., of Newton, MA, one grandchild, Lindsey DiMuro, and two great grandchildren.
A funeral will take place at Calvary Episcopal Church on Wednesday June 17 at 4 pm. A reception will follow at the Plummer House, 1091 Plummer Ln. SW, Rochester, MN 55902 at 6:30 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to:
The Bakken Museum
3537 Zenith Avenue South
Mpls, MN 55416
612-926-3878
Condolences
The family of George Franklin Waters has received the following condolences.
Jeannie and family,
I will always treasure my memories of George and felt honored to be his personal ticket agent at Northwest Airlines. He was easy to please, appreciative and a First Class Gentleman.
Jeannie, I still have my Angel Wings (from my retirement) on the wall in my computer room which will remain there forever. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Bessie
Jeannie -
so so sad to hear about George's passing. You had an amazing partner. I am so sorry I cannot be at the service but I am still in Germany. Sending much love your way. - Kathy
Dear Jean and family,
My condolences to all of you. I have the fondest remembrances of visiting with George and Jean over the years. George always seemed to have a smile or a joke somewhere along the way. What an accomplished and admirable man! A true gentleman and a delight to engage with. My warmest regards as you celebrate his life.
-- Grant Wacker
our deepest sympathy. A great man and wonderful friend.
Greg and I send our deepest sympathy to the family. My dad, Jim Trost, was a good friend of George, and I know Dad thought very highly of him. We have all of you in our prayers.
We shall all treasure our memories of George. He was a man with great gifts and capabilities, and we shall all enjoy our personal remembrances. Since this world is for the living, we hope that you, Jeanie, continue your busy and interesting life. Hope to see you sometime when we return to Minnesota. Love, Pat & Dick
You shall be missed by so many, dear George, the numbers cannot be counted. And, thanks to the countless gifts you gave to the world, your legacy will never be forgotten.
May you rest in peace and rise in glory...
Larry Reynolds
Former Organist/Choirmaster
Calvary Church, Rochester
Though Dottie & I were saddened to hear of George's passing--and extend our thoughts-&-prayers to Jean & family--he lived his life large and to the fullest. We therefore join so many others in his parish family & beyond in celebrating an extraordinary man. As evidence by his extended obituary, George Waters truly epitomized the best qualities of the Greatest Generation. From service abroad in WWII, and throughout most of the subsequent 6+ decades, George pursued the sort of eclectic passions and encyclopedic interests which would have proved life shortening to men of lesser spirit and will. Beyond family, one of his larger loves was a fascination with that other great American, Benjamin Franklin. Two quotes credited to Ben are: "“Fear not death for the sooner we die, the longer we shall be immortal;” and “Many people die at twenty five and aren't buried until they are seventy five.” As one of the many librarians who served George's vast biblio-interests over the years, I think it's accurate to apply both of those to the venerable Mr. Waters. Of his generation, he shall count among those who--having been spared an early wartime death in his 20's--made the kinds of life-affirming contributions which ensure some measure of that immortality. May God grant him well-earned rest in peace. --Frank & Dottie Hawthorne; Petoskey, Michigan.
The accolades for George Waters are preponderant.
George gave so much to all those he touched. He danced into the Seraphim Dancers' hearts through rehearsals, fittings, and performances. He loved to call us "Jeannie's Girls".
George will be truly missed.