SMPI Developer Bill Lahr has Passed On

[cjc]

Bench tech legend and SMPI co-developer / patent holder Bill Lahr passed on last Friday. Bill did over 500 trials to refine the Surfmaster circuit to create a stable, deep, super gold sensitive pulse detector that found hunters huge amounts of gold over the years. He also held patents on features for the Whites 5900 & 6000 Di-Pro SL models. Recently, he struggled with dehabilitating a-fib which cause hime to have frequent falls. To his dissappointment this also prevented him from detecting towards the end. I published his book "Understanding and Using Your Metal Detector" a few years ago and the response to it was quite remarkable--owing to just how highly regarded he was in the industry. I was very lucky to chat and consult with him numerous times and it was only a couple of years ago he was working at the bench developing a GB pulse based upon the CS6pi platform. He enjoed working at the bench and fixed coils as best he was able. Bills knowledge of detectors--pulse induction in particular was encyclopedic and he had an amazing collection of vintage machines. He lived in Compton CA and was friends with another detecting legend that some of you may recognize--Lance Rigg. The hobby has lost a giant and we all owe Bill a debt of gratitude. (picture shows the original 1991 Surfmaster --circuit made on perfboad--still works). Sorry I've been unable to find any pictures of Bill himself. Rest in Peace, clive

[ivconic]

My deepest condolences to family and friends.
If it is the same Bill Lahr who manually drew countless schematics of various models of metal detectors; then that name has a very special meaning in my mind.
My first introduction to the world of DIY metal detectors was based on his hand drawings.
I still keep a certain number of those drawings in the archive today, and they represent a real nostalgic treasure for me!
I'm not sure how many of those drawings there are and if I have them all.
It would be a real treasure if someone made a complete collection of his drawings and put them here as an eternal legacy.
I don't remember if I had the honor and privilege of exchanging a few words with him, I don't think so, unfortunately.
But that name remained indelible in my memory, and will remain forever present in digital form on various internet archives.
May He rest in peace.

[gurdal]

May God have mercy on her soul.

[Carl-NC]

If it is the same Bill Lahr who manually drew countless schematics of various models of metal detectors; then that name has a very special meaning in my mind.

Yes, same guy. Those alone were a huge contribution, and a lot of work on his part.

[cjc]

My deepest condolences to family and friends.
If it is the same Bill Lahr who manually drew countless schematics of various models of metal detectors; then that name has a very special meaning in my mind.
My first introduction to the world of DIY metal detectors was based on his hand drawings.
I still keep a certain number of those drawings in the archive today, and they represent a real nostalgic treasure for me!

I'm not sure how many of those drawings there are and if I have them all.
It would be a real treasure if someone made a complete collection of his drawings and put them here as an eternal legacy.
I don't remember if I had the honor and privilege of exchanging a few words with him, I don't think so, unfortunately.
But that name remained indelible in my memory, and will remain forever present in digital form on various internet archives.
May He rest in peace.

Thanks for your note, Ivconic. We are definitely talking about the same guy. Bill had a ton of patience especially with the questions of a novice. I dont have any contact with the family but it's true--many of the detectors that I was looking at and using over the years--he had the schematics for. Everyone tried to copy his SMPI design and a lot of them got sued lol....
Best Regards
clive

[ivconic]

Maybe not the right moment and place... but then again; maybe it is!
TGSL, at one time the most DIY in the world, no doubt about it.
Somehow, in 2004 I got a bad copy (scan) of a Tesoro Golden Sabre hand drawing by Bill Lahr from somewhere.
Among a few things, I made sure to put that paper with me in my luggage. And took it to Malta.
I looked at that sheet of paper very often in my free time.
And I drew, crossed out, subtracted and added by hand.
From this distance, it is not a highly intellectual job on my side though.
But that piece of paper meant a lot to me at that time.
After returning home, the following year, I made the first TGSL.
None of this would have happened if Bill Lahr hadn't drawn that drawing.
Later I joined the forum and collected all his drawings regularly.
I have done dozens of DIYs based on his hand drawings and everything has always been very accurate and precise.
I don't remember ever encountering any problems.
Although I redrew many schematics later in the software; I still much prefer looking at those hand-drawn schematics... can't explain why.
They have a kind of "patina" and a real hobby feel.
Let this be my little tribute to that man.
Hats off!