David August Bossen

1927 - 2015

David August Bossen
Resident of Menlo Park
On April 21, 2015, David August Bossen, 88, entered into eternal rest at his home in Menlo Park, CA surrounded by his loving family. David is preceded in death by his daughter, Julie Ayerza and first wife of forty years, Doris Stephens. David is survived by his beloved second wife of 24 years, Darlene Bossen, and daughters, Alison Tahl, Amy Bossen, M.D., Laura Gomez (Eddy), and stepson, David Phelps. Dave leaves behind 9 grandchildren and one great grandson.
David was born on January 9, 1927 in Clinton, Iowa. Sadly, David's father, "August" died when Dave was just 12 years old. He was subsequently raised by his mother, Rose and her sister, Carey. When Dave was 14, he worked at the Post Office in Clinton and literally rode shotgun when they drove the bank deposits to Chicago.
David is a veteran of World War II serving in the U.S. Marine Corps. He received a fleet appointment to the Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD. After sustaining a football injury, Dave transferred to M.I.T. where he earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering. He worked for Industrial Nucleonics and Accu-Ray while living in Columbus, Ohio and raising his young family.
Dave thought that Digital technology was the future and thus moved the family to California in 1967 and founded Measurex (which stood for Measurement Excellence). Measurex, an Industrial Automated Process Control System manufacturer which dominated the global market in the pulp and paper industry; one of the original Silicon Valley Companies, it was traded on the NYSE. In 1997, Measurex was sold to Honeywell Industries. Mr. Bossen continued on as CEO, Chairman of the Board, and finally Chairman Emeritus when he retired in 2000.
It must be mentioned that "Mr. B", or Dave, as his employees referred to him, was as beloved and respected a CEO as has ever headed up a Silicon Valley Tech Company because he regarded and treated all his employees as family.
In his retirement, Dave traveled extensively with Darlene, loved playing golf and enjoyed a challenging game of bridge. He was a 25-year season ticket holder to the SF Giants and the 49er's; he attended 4 World Series, 2 Super Bowls, 2 US Opens, and the Masters in 2010. David truly enjoyed the spoils of a successful career and shared them with his family and friends.
Dave holds several patents. He is highly regarded as a Pioneer in the Pulp and Paper Industry, and at the time of his passing, he had been nominated to the Global Pulp and Paper Industry Hall of Fame which is to be announced in the Fall 2015.
A memorial service will be held for Dave in June (exact date and time to be determined) at the Menlo Circus Club in Atherton, CA of which he was a member for nearly 50 years. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to American Cancer Society in Dave's name.