IN MEMORIAM: MATTHEW S. BRENNESHOLTZ

Abstract

Top: Brennesholtz was a familiar face at Display Week. MATTHEW S. BRENNESHOLTZ, A LONGTIME SID member who had been active in the Mid-Atlantic Chapter and twice served as its chair, passed away on August 2, 2020, at his home in Pleasantville, New York. He was 73 years old. Brennesholtz was born in Orange, New Jersey, and briefly spent time as a Navy helicopter pilot. After receiving his bachelor's degree and a master's degree in engineering from Cornell University, he turned his professional focus to the display industry, where he would spend the next four decades. He worked on a range of display technologies, starting with the design and manufacturing of cathode-ray tubes (CRTs) at GTE/Sylvania and Philips. He was also involved in the design and testing of optical components for television and projection display systems. He held some 23 patents. Brennesholtz was named a Senior Member of SID in 2005; the designation is used to recognize individuals who've made significant technical contributions to the advancement of displays and actively participated in the display community and SID. In the latter half of his career, he became known for his thoroughly-researched writings about displays. Brennesholtz was the co-author of Projection Displays, an exhaustive textbook on optical and mechanical systems in electronic projection displays, and the author or co-author of 16 technical papers for various publications. He frequently wrote for Information Display, was a regular contributor for DisplayDaily.com, and served as an analyst for Insight Media, contributing to the company's newsletters and reports, among other things. “His keen intellect, probing questions, passion for technology and folksy writing style made his contributions a must-read,” says Chris Chinnock, Insight Media's owner, who first met Brennesholtz more than 15 years ago. “Nothing fazed Matt, and he was also easy to be around. I am so saddened by his passing as he was a friend who will be greatly missed.” That sentiment is shared, not only by Brennesholtz's colleagues and readers but also by the companies he covered. “Matt was well trusted and well connected in the industry, and this made him a very effective journalist,” says John Kymissis, SID treasurer and a former Mid-Atlantic Chapter director. “At SID, SMPTE meetings, and other events, he was usually there with a camera and questions. Exhibitors loved to speak with him knowing their technology would appear that week in any of several venues with a thorough and accurate review.” Kymissis, who teaches courses on solid-state devices and display technology at Columbia University, recalls, too, how generous Brennesholtz was with his time, coming to campus once a year to speak to Kymissis's classes about projectors and optics. “One of the things that always amused the students was his critique of the relatively terrible projectors we have on campus. He was able to use the imperfections of our various projectors to explain how [the technology] worked.” A devoted husband and father, Brennesholtz's pastimes included writing fiction, bike riding, drawing, and photography. Indeed, according to his family, he spent most Sundays on his bike, photographing the outside of New York City subway stations and the defunct New York, Westchester, and Boston Railway. At the time of his passing, he was getting ready for his weekly bike ride through New York City. He is survived by his wife Libby, his three daughters Rachel, Eleanor, and Margaret, and his grandson Paul. The family says a memorial service will be held sometime in 2021 when restrictions on travel and public gatherings have eased. Instead of flowers, they ask that friends and colleagues simply continue Brennesholtz's spirit of kindness. Go to InformationDisplay.org to read these and other ID articles by Matthew S. Brennesholtz: A Friend and Colleague Bottom: Bike riding was one of his many passions.