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Dan Feinberg on Walt Custer: Remembering an Extraordinary Business Associate and Friend
September 9, 2025 | Dan Feinberg, Technology Editor, I-Connect007Estimated reading time: 1 minute
The passing of Walt Custer marks the end of an era for all those who knew him and were helped and impressed by his presence, both personally and professionally. Walt's life was characterized by his unwavering commitment to the industry, his profound wisdom and willingness to share it, and his infectious enthusiasm for everything he did.
Throughout his involvement in the electronics industry, Walt was known as a visionary, a walking database, a mentor to countless individuals, and a steadfast friend. Whether in the workplace or among associates, competitors, or friends, his commitment to excellence and generosity of spirit set him apart. He had a unique ability to bring people together—always with warmth and respect—and created lasting bonds and a sense of community.
His Personal Qualities and Achievements Live On
Walt's dedication was reflected not just in his professional accomplishments but also in the way he shared what he learned. He approached challenges with positivity, inspired those around him to reach higher, and led by example. His industry knowledge and the data he collected were often shared, not only in conversations but also in the countless valuable presentations at industry events.
An Enduring Legacy
Walt’s legacy lives on through the many lives he influenced and the memories he leaves behind. His contributions, both large and small, have shaped the future for so many individuals and companies. To honor Walt is to continue his traditions of kindness, curiosity, and generosity in sharing. As I mourn his passing, I hope we can celebrate the remarkable life he lived and his enduring impact.
I extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends. May his memory and achievements be a blessing, and may we always remember the success he helped bring into our lives.
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I-Connect007 Editor’s Choice: Five Must-Reads for the Week
10/31/2025 | Nolan Johnson, I-Connect007Last week, the IMPACT conference took place in Taipei, bringing together advanced packaging experts from around the globe to share their knowledge. We’ll be bringing you post-conference coverage over the next few weeks, so look for that in our newsletters, and in the Advanced Electronic Packaging Digest. Other news seemed to have the U.S. at the center of the global discussions. My picks start in Phoenix, where TSMC, NVIDIA, and Amkor are all scrambling to establish new capabilities. There’s nothing like a strong demand signal to cause build-out, and AI chips are doing exactly that.
I-Connect007 Welcomes New Columnist: Leo Lambert, EPTAC
10/30/2025 | I-Connect007I-Connect007 is excited to announce a column by Leo Lambert, an industry veteran with 40 years of experience, an award winner, and technical director at EPTAC. This column, Learning With Leo, will explore the evolution and related challenges of electronics product assembly, especially as it relates to training.
Better Sustainability Policies for Electronics
10/29/2025 | Diana Radovan, Global Electronics AssociationI joined the Global Electronics Association in August 2025 as the director of sustainability policy. Since then, much has happened in terms of geopolitics and in the development and re-envisioning of sustainability policies in the industry. While the European Commission has released several legislative packages to simplify sustainability requirements (“omnibus”), these developments haven’t yet settled and are not in effect. Given the many recent and ongoing public consultations, with often conflicting input from a broad range of stakeholders, final negotiations remain rather polarized among policymakers.
SMTAI 2025 Review: Reflecting on a Pragmatic and Forward-looking Industry
10/27/2025 | Marcy LaRont, I-Connect007Leaving the show floor on the final afternoon of SMTA International last week in Rosemont, Illinois, it was clear that the show remains a grounded, technically driven event that delivers a solid program, good networking, and an easy space to commune with industry colleagues and meet with customers.
Come Together: Tom Marktscheffel Used Data to Build CFX and a Global Factory Standard
10/27/2025 | Sandy Gentry, Community MagazineWhen Tom Marktscheffel, director of product management software solutions at ASMPT, looks back on his nearly three decades in electronics manufacturing, one word stands out: data. “Data is the new gold,” he says. Without it, automation, artificial intelligence, and the factory of the future are impossible. With it, the industry can move from manual, error-prone processes to smart, connected systems that make real-time decisions.