VIP Club Flyer
Author: Lowell A. Benson, retired engineer/manager

IT Legacy Project, since 2005
Goal: Engineering Research Associates (ERA) began a remarkable story of technological innovation and contributions to the computer industry in 1946. We aim to relate this 77-year+ story as many of us have lived parts of it—most history book entries have limited defense industry information among the commercial computer system development stories.
Objectives: First, is to capture whatever remaining material and information available; Second is to catalog and archive all the material collected; and Third is to publish/publicize our history and heritage in ways that interest industry and our fellow Minnesotans via the web and local institutions.
Accomplishments: 1) Over 600 people have contributed to our Legacy Anthology, www/vipclubmn.org/Legacy.html. 2) Supported the TPT documentary, Solid State: MN’s High-Tech History. 3) Established an exhibit at the Lawshe Memorial Museum. 4) Supported the DCHS ERA memorial plaque commemoration at 1902 Minnehaha Ave. W. in St. Paul. 5) Provided info for Dr. Tom Misa’s Digital State book.

History Tidbits
Since 2007, former employees and systems users have contributed mini-bios to our IT Legacy Anthology—over 212 unique stories! https://vipclubmn.org/People.html.
In 2008 more than 75 volunteer members participated in several Minnesota Sesquicentennial activities; chronicled in the Minnesota 2058 bi-centennial time capsule, vipclubmn.org/Articles/It’sAWrap.pdf.
Eight of the 27 interviewees for the 2019 Twin Cities Public Television documentary; MN Solid State, High Tech History, vipclubmn.org/Articles/TPTclips.pdf.

P.O. Box 21903 Eagan, MN 55121 http://vipclubmn.org

2025 BOARD Contact Information
President — Jim Andrews, [website, Holiday Party]
webmaster@vipclubmn.org.
Vice President — Les Flugum, [Program Plans] Flugum2020@gmail.com.
Treasurer – Open position
.
Secretary — Boni Westberg, [Holiday Party, Sympathy cards] volunteerboni@gmail.com.
Director — Gish Devlaminck, [Member Database] membership@vipclubmn.org.
Director —Dick Lundgren, [CBI Liaison, Programs] rflundgr@aol.com.
Director — Dean Nelson, [Programs] dnelson4177@gmail.com
Director — Eric Spring, [Program Plans, Picnic] ericpspring@gmail.com.
Past President — Harvey Taipale, [IT Legacy, Lawshe Museum Liaison] hjtaipale@comcast.net.
Members Emeriti:
Keith Behnke, keithbhnk@comcast.net
Joe Schwarz, jschwarzsr@centurylink.net.
Board Associates:
Mary Beth Ruhland [Newsletter Editor] clubnewsltr@vipclubmn.org,
John Westergren [Picnic, IT Legacy] jwestergren@gmail.com,
Dave Kleba, [Roseville Good Old Days] dckleba@netzero.net
Lowell Benson, [IT Legacy}
la.gj.benson@comcast.net.

Lawshe Memorial Museum Volunteerism Leads:
Keith Myhre, kmyhre@lightblast.net;
Bob Pagac, rpagac@hotmail.com; and
Jon Simon, jcsimon1st @aol.com.

Updated January 14, 2025 - © VIP flyer25.pub, design by LABenson

The VIP CLUB is a non-profit, social and services organization of retired and former employees from Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and legacy companies.

We are proud of our Information Technology (IT) Legacy preserved for future generations at the Lawshe Memorial Museum in S. St. Paul, at the Charles Babbage Institute - U of MN in Minneapolis, and www.vipclubmn.org/Legacy.html.

MAIL THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHECK TO:
VIP Club P.O. Box 21903
Eagan, MN 55121

VIP Club Member Eligibility: Retirees and spouses from Unisys, Lockheed Martin, and their MN legacy and successor companies. Active vested employees [and spouses] are also eligible. Successors include Leidos, PDA, et al’.
Life Members (seniors) Former employees aged 90 and above pay no dues!
Friends: Not an ex-employee but a legacy history supporter; CBI, CHAP, DCHS, RCHS, et al’

APPLICATION/Renewal FORM: Dues: $7, 1 year ___ $ 18, 3 years ___.Free if >90.
Member __, or Friend __: Address Change __, New __, Renewal _____.
_________________ _____________ ____ _________________
Name First M.I. Spouse’s Name
_____________________ __________________ ____ ________
Street Address or P.O. Box City State Zip Code
(_____) _______-____________ ________________________@_________________ . ______
Primary Telephone Number E-mail address
Newsletter delivery standard is Electronic ____, or U.S. Mail ___.
Employer is/was: UNISYS ___, Lockheed Martin ___, and/or predecessor company. ___________________
Include my data in the Club’s Directory? Yes __ No __. DIRECTORY is only available to Members

Club Origination
The VIP Club concept began in 1979 when our founder, Millie Gignac, was conducting pre-retirement interviews with Sperry employees. She saw that most employees were reluctant to rapidly break their ties with the company and in particular friends with whom they had many shared memories.
The first general meeting was held on September 3rd, 1980 with about 75 people in attendance. Officers were elected, plans were made for monthly meetings, and a constitution and by-laws were drawn up. Al Mueller, retired Antenna Coupler engineering manager, was elected the first President.

Membership Benefits
Annual events participation; Volunteer Recognition Luncheon, Annual June Picnic, and January Holiday party & dinner.
Club sponsored ZOOM meetings for membership.
Contacts with former co-workers via the planned social activities and the Club Directory.
Links to recreational activities; i.e. golf leagues, MN senior centers, etc.
Opportunities to nurture friendships via Club committees and other volunteer activities.
Periodic newsletters with event reports, new member recognition, obits, forms, program announcements, Legacy articles, etc..

Club Planned Social Activities
January—Winter Party; Dinner and Holiday Gathering at the Lost Spur Event Center.
April—Volunteers’ Recognition Luncheon; at Joseph’s in St. Paul
May—Syttende Mai luncheon at Casper’s in Eagan.
June— Reunion picnic in Eagan; beer, brats, burgers, and great friendship stories.
September—Roseville Good Old Days’ gathering in the northern suburbs.
November - Annual UNIVAC Old Timers’ Reunion at the Lost Spur in Eagan
Other specialty programs such as Happy Hours, open houses, local River Cruises, ..

Encouraged Social Activities
Numerous group meetings at breakfasts, lunch, and dinner venues around the Twin Cities; see web site Activities page, Activities (vipclubmn.org)
Recreation League combinations of retirees and current Unisys employees—i.e. Golf, PC & Electronics Club, Bowling, etc.

Updated January 14, 2025 - ©VIPflyer25,.pdf design by LABenson