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undefinedIn this annual issue, we take time to honor the faces behind the industry. In the past year, the following industry veterans passed on. WQP would like to recognize and celebrate their lives and contributions to the water industry. Thank you to the Water Quality Association (WQA), Eastern WQA (EWQA), Pacific WQA (PWQA) and Kintetico for sharing these thoughts.
John Filson
October 18, 1934-December 28, 2020
John Filson was the founder of Aqua Treatment Systems (ATS) and Filson Water in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Filson was active in WQA and EWQA, where he served as president. He was very knowledgeable about water treatment and served to mentor others in the industry. He will not be forgotten.
Margaret “Peggy” Blazek
March 6, 1946-December 22, 2020
Margaret “Peggy” Blazek was a member of the WQA team for more than 20 years, retiring as the member relations and development manager Jan. 31, 2016. Blazek has many accomplishments in supporting the association and interacting with its members.
Rodney Yoder
March 26, 1966-January 9, 2021
Rodney Yoder started his career with Kinetico in 1996 in the company’s Engineered Systems Division, and years later made the transition to the Consumer Products Division as Kinetico’s NSF compliance manager. Eventually taking a product manager position, he directed the development and introduction of the K5 Drinking Water Station. Yoder was later appointed to director of North American Dealer Sales. Yoder was an active participant in WQA. His latest involvements were with WQA’s Business Operations Training Committee and the Professional Certification and Training Committee.
“Those who had the privilege and honor to work with Rod know that he was a kind, compassionate and courageous soul who touched people with his brilliance and love of life,” said Toby Thomas, Kinetico CEO and president, in a press release.
Roy C. Russell III
1943-January 7, 2021
Roy C. Russell III was a second-generation water treatment industry leader. He started Pacific Water Systems of San Jose, California, in 1972. Russell was awarded the WQA Regents Award in 1985 and the Award of Merit in 1989. He served as WQA president in 1989-90 and held other leadership positions with WQA and the Water Quality Research Foundation. He also was a past president of PWQA.
After college and serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam, Russell got his start in water treatment by working at a Culligan dealership owned by his father, Roy C. Russell Jr.
