The Simon Taylor Award
Simon Taylor was a Professional Engineer, a Life Senior Member of IEEE and the founder of the Peterborough IEEE Life Members Affinity Group. Simon’s service to the profession began in 1961 with an Associate Membership of the Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) and he continued his membership as the IRE became the IEEE in 1963. He was an active member of the executive of the former Bay of Quinte Section of IEEE from 1976 to 1981, and of the Peterborough section from 2008 until 2012. Simon’s professional career was devoted to the applications of ceramics in electronic and electrical devices as varied as jet engine igniters and ceramic capacitors. He held various positions in The Canadian Ceramics Society from 1965 to 1991.
He was a member of the Royal Canadian Reserve and was active in Sea Cadets in Trenton from 1962 to 1973. He was also active in the Canadian Power Squadron from 1964 until the time of his death. Simon loved Science Fairs and participated as a judge whenever he had the opportunity. Among his treasured memories was as a judge at the Canada Wide Science Fair when it was held in Peterborough in 2010, and again in Toronto in 2011.
Simon died in 2012 after a lengthy illness. In recognition of his life-long dedication to the service of his fellow professionals and of his devotion to providing a learning environment for young people, IEEE Peterborough will award the “Simon Taylor Award” to the project exhibited at the Peterborough Regional Science Fair which shows the best use of engineering principles. The Award will be made each year from 2012 to 2017.
The award will consist of a cheque for $100, a book on an engineering or related topic, and a plaque to be awarded to the recipient’s school.