Merle L. Gilmore, ECE alumnus and long-time member of the Board of Visitors at The Grainger College of Engineering, passed away on July 4, 2024. He was 76. Born in Chicago, Gilmore graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1970 and obtained a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic University in 1981.
Written by Eleanor Wyllie
Merle Gilmore
Merle L. Gilmore, alumnus and long-time member of the Board of Visitors at The Grainger College of Engineering, passed away on July 4, 2024. He was 76.
Born in Chicago, Gilmore graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1970 and obtained a master’s degree in electrical engineering from Florida Atlantic University in 1981.
In 1970 Gilmore joined Motorola as an engineer, holding numerous senior management positions including executive vice president and president of the Land Mobile Products Sector; executive vice president and president for Europe, Middle East and Africa; and executive vice president and president of the Communications Enterprise. He went on to become a partner at Ripplewood and an executive advisor at Siris, as well as serving as a board member for several technology companies.
He remained involved with the University of Illinois for many decades. In 1998 he received an ECE Distinguished Alumni Award in recognition of outstanding leadership in development of radio and land mobile products and distinguished social services. This was followed by a Grainger Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in 2001 for leadership in development, manufacturing and marketing of mobile communication products. In 2000 he received the University of Illinois Alumni Association Illini Comeback Award.
Known for his inventive solutions to engineering problems, Merle Gilmore held four patents in digital signal processing and was awarded a fifth patent for technology to minimize the telephone call delays that can occur in modern digital wireless communication systems.
Merle Gilmore believed in the power of philanthropy and gave generously to Illinois over his lifetime, supporting the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, The Grainger College of Engineering, the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and Illinois Athletics. He and his wife, Lisa M. Gilmore, established the Gilmore Family Endowed Professorship in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2007.
Committed to professional and community service, Gilmore served on The Grainger Engineering Board of Visitors for many years providing advice and support. He was elected to the Board of Trustees for the Chicago Educational Television Association and served as state director of the National Association of Manufacturers. He was active in both the United Way and the Urban League, as well as serving on many community and professional boards.
In his time outside work and community commitments, Gilmore enjoyed golfing, sailing and supporting the Chicago sports teams. He is survived by wife Lisa and sons Kevin and Ryan.