I worked with Ted as an assistant draftsman at the Smokler Group (?exact name) in Southfield as a summer job while I was at the University of Detroit in probably 1967. Gene Zeimet ran the engineering department and was responsible for designing and implementing the civil engineering plans to enable housing subdivision construction. Ted was what I would call the "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer." He was the person whose output made the department successful (and by extension, made the whole company successful). He was one of my first real mentors. He was a great teacher, and most important to me at the time, he was very respectful and generous with praise when it was earned. I was leaning toward a medical career at the time, but was very interested in most disciplines which had a highly technical but yet creative underpinning. I did become a doctor and am very happy with what I have been able to accomplish during my career. What prompted my search for him this evening was a continuing medical education talk I just heard. The speaker talked about a decrease in U.S. heart disease that began with the Surgeon General's announcement in the late 1960's about smoking. I vividly recalled Ted, who had been a cigarette smoker, telling me that he watched the SG's announcement on TV. While he was watching, a cigarette was burning in the ashtray beside him. It burned itself out, he said, and "I never touched another one." I don't recall how long this was after the announcement or even whether he continued his resolve not to smoke, but it had a profound effect on me. It taught me that clearly delivered data can convince people to make important changes. His mentorship contributed to my growth in many ways and I have thought of Ted many times over the years. He was a very good man. Gene was too, but I had more interactions with Ted.
Memories
The first time I met Ted was back in the early seventies when I was a young pup and Ted was the esteemed engineer and partner at Zeimet Wozniak.
I remember what a gentleman he was - not to mention a great Engineer.
My deepest sympathy to the Zeimet family.
Nancy and I remember well Ted and Pat and Karen and Andy .How could we possibly forget the Wozniak family .We lived right next door to them in Lathrup Village Michigan for 9 years . We have so many wonderful memories of each of the four Wozniak's . We watched Karen and Andy growing up . In our eyes they were growing up to be find young persons . We remember Pat as a great homemaker and cook . Lots of polish food .Nancy remembers She and Pat planning a Halloween party for our families with great decorations , baking and costumes for all the children.We fad great times at their cottage . We have many great ,fond memories of Ted . We drank beer together . He had a wonderful ,quiet sense of humor . Nancy said we had fun at many parties. Ted and Pat were both a lot of fun ."Ted was a very smart man . He was an excellent civil engineer, surveyor and businessman . He loved to talk about his family and his business . Ted was a loving , dear man who we shall always remember . Karen and Andy: You were so fortunate to have such beautiful , loving parents . Today we remember your Mom and Dad . We cherish our memories of them and will always . Love Nancy and Garry Carley