This online exhibit showcases the life and career of Purdue alumnus Donald N. Heirman. Known for his involvement and leadership in developing and strengthening electromagnetic compatibility standards worldwide, Mr. Heirman continues to be a key player and educator in the field.
The records displayed throughout this exhibit offer are just a small representation of the larger Donald N. Heirman papers available in the Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections. Mr. Heirman generously made the first donation of his papers in 2011 and continues to contribute content to the collection. The reports, correspondence, and images found within the collection portray many aspects of Mr. Heirman’s career from his days as a student at Purdue University, to his tenure at Bell Labs, and to his continuous involvement with EMC standards. To learn more about the collection and to see a complete inventory, please see the finding aid.
Donald N. Heirman was born in Mishawaka, Indiana. He received his BSEE and MSEE degrees from Purdue University in 1962 and 1963 respectively. Mr. Heirman met his wife, Lois (Smith) Heirman in the administration offices of Wiley Hall. The two married on campus on June 8, 1963.
Mr. Heirman worked at Bell Labs for more than three decades in numerous EMC roles. He was the founding manager of Lucent Technologies (Bell Labs) Global Product Compliance Laboratory (GPCL). In this role, he was in charge of the company’s major EMC and regulatory test facility and its participation in national and international EMC standardization committees. He also served as a senior EMC Consultant for Lucent Technologies before retiring from Bell Labs in 1997.
In 1974, alongside his technical career at Bell Labs, Mr. Heirman started contributing to the IEEE NJ Coast EMC Chapter. Over time his standards development efforts expanded to numerous US and international organizations. He has chaired or been a principal contributor to numerous U.S. and international EMC standards organizations including ANSI ASC C63 (EMC), the IEEE, and the IEC’s International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR).
Mr. Heirman’s dedication to EMC education and training led to establishment of his own EMC training and consultation business – Don HEIRMAN Consultants, in 1997. He currently serves as the President of Don HEIRMAN Consultants.
Donald Heirman's professional life history showcasing what is involved in an engineering career. Narrated by Mr. Heirman himself.