William Pepper, 86, inventor
William Pepper, 86, of Kennett Square, an inventor who pioneered touchscreen technology and a descendant of Benjamin Franklin, died of cancer Tuesday, April 12, at his home.
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William Pepper, 86, of Kennett Square, an inventor who pioneered touchscreen technology and a descendant of Benjamin Franklin, died of cancer Tuesday, April 12, at his home.
Mr. Pepper came from a distinguished family that includes not only Franklin, but William Pepper, a doctor and lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania who was appointed provost in 1881. That William Pepper's most significant achievement, however, may have been chartering Philadelphia's first free public library - now the Free Library of Philadelphia - in 1891 with funds from the estate of an uncle.
Mr. Pepper was low-key about his celebrated family, said son David.
"He was humble. He didn't like to advertise it," he said. "But it was something that the family was proud of and shared."
Born in Philadelphia, Mr. Pepper was a self-taught electrical engineer and inventor who owned many patents. He worked for a number of high-tech companies that did innovative work such as early character recognition, allowing documents to be scanned and translated into digital form, and making satellite parts.
His greatest success came with a patent for a touchscreen panel in the 1980s. He licensed the patent to a company that made touchscreen computers.
Mr. Pepper was a Korean War veteran who served in an Army MASH unit. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved backpacking, rock climbing, and mountaineering, especially in the West.
For his 80th birthday, he had hoped to hike in Nepal, but abandoned the plan because he thought he might slow down the group. He also was a passionate photographer whose work was included in several local exhibits.
In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife, Elva; son John; daughter Pamela Pepper Caplin; and five grandchildren.
A celebration of life will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at Crosslands, Crosslands Drive, Kennett Square. There will be no burial. Mr. Pepper wanted his body left to the University of Pennsylvania Medical School.
Contributions may be made to the American Friends Service Committee or the Prisoner Visitation and Support Program, both at 1501 Cherry St., Philadelphia 19102.
610-313-8232 @Kathy_Boccella