In loving memory of

Greg Jackson
November 7, 1952 - July 14, 2015

Jackson, Greg
Middleton: Greg Jackson has left the land and passed to the sea. President and co-founder of Tormach Inc., Greg died July 14 in a sailing accident on Lake Michigan. Greg was a visionary in the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) world. He believed that the personal CNC machine could follow the path of the PC as a platform for people to express their creativity and implement their ideas. Since the introduction of its first small scale CNC milling machine in 2002, Tormach has grown from a garage business to a world-wide operation based out of Waunakee, Wisconsin. Greg has been awarded four US patents for innovations in the CNC field.
Founding partner Ed Korn said, "Greg was the face of the company. He was a great communicator". According to Engineering and Technical Manager Matt Doeppers, "What was most important to Greg was the culture he cultivated inside Tormach. Greg built a family of colleagues who are respected, valued, heard, and who have the unquestioned freedom to fail". Matt continued, "Be open to challenge and be open to being wrong. Greg was able to step back, re-evaluate and change course if needed. He would seek out a mistake, even if it was his own, and focus on what we learned from it. In the absence of a lot of policy and red tape, Tormach has the agility to change direction rather quickly. A true asset. The environment here is a big reason for the company's success".
Greg was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1952, the fourth child of Ruth and William Jackson. He attended Nicolet HS and earned a BS and MS in Mechanical Engineering from UW-Madison. While in graduate school be built and maintained a pre-internet bulletin board that allowed engineers to exchange useful software and ideas via dial-up connections. In 1986 he married Jacqueline Schroeder and in 1989 completed his masters and joined Marquip Inc. in Madison, WI.
On a summer vacation in Bay View, WI, Jacqueline changed Greg's life for a second time when she picked a private sailboat cruise over a fishing excursion on Lake Superior. As the boat sailed into the dock, she recalled, "You could see it in his eyes". He had found his element. He was a sailor. Within a week he had purchased a second hand catamaran and within a year was crisscrossing Lake Mendota in his 23 foot Catalina, the Compass Rose. He earned his Captain's license in 1994 and in 2001 proudly completed 60 hours of brutal, competitive downwind sailing in the 5th Chicago to Mackinac Solo challenge.
Greg had a great and abiding love for his wife Jaqueline, for his family, his friends, and for his colleagues. He loved life. He loved to laugh and he loved his work. He loved as a sailor: with humility and wonder, in solitude and joyous community and with his eye ever on the horizon.
Greg is survived by his wife Jacqueline; his mother Ruth of Tampa, FL; brother Geoff Jackson of Garland, TX; sisters Julie Jackson of Huninton, WV and Tere Zimmerman of Sheboygan, WI.
Visitation will be held from 10 to 11 AM on Wednesday, July 22 at the Cress Center, 6021 University Avenue, Madison, WI. The Memorial service will be held at 11 AM followed by luncheon.
Memorial contributions may be made in Greg's name for an Engineering scholarship.
Cress Center
6021 University Ave.
Madison, WI 53705
(608) 238-8406

Tributes

Dan Nytes wrote on Aug 7, 2015:

"I have sailed with Greg on Lake Michigan on his sail boat. There was no question about following his safety rules. Rule Number One: if you want to go to the forward deck you must be tethered in. No one broke rule number one; not even Greg. Greg was one of the kindest person I have ever met. He saw the good in everyone. RIP Greg Jackson... "

Ravi Jain (GARVIN TOOLS INDIA) wrote on Jul 27, 2015:

"I am from New Delhi (India) and I met Greg in Tormach Headquarters in the state of WI, USA on 6/25/2015. Ed Korn introduced me to Greg. He was a nice personality and very technical in CNC controls. I feel very sorry for his family who has to bear this utter loss. May his soul rest in Peace......:("

Donna Kirschenmann wrote on Jul 23, 2015:

"I knew Greg when I worked at Marquip in Madison. He consistently treated everyone around him with unconditional respect. I've appreciated following the creation and growth of Tormach. I know he will be missed by his family and friends."

Thysen Hetzel wrote on Jul 22, 2015:

"Rest In peace Greg. You were a great man to work for. Your intelligence and dedication were one of a kind."

Ed Korn wrote on Jul 21, 2015:

"Greg was a very good friend and a very good partner. Not a combination easy to come by. He will be missed"

Yinpeng Guo wrote on Jul 20, 2015:

"Greg is a great friend to me for so many years. I was very sad for his passed away and missed him very much.He will be remembered by my heart for the whole life."

BS wrote on Jul 19, 2015:

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you for the past 6.5 years. You will be missed dearly. RIP you wonderful caring man. "

Dena Korsgard wrote on Jul 19, 2015:

"Greg was one of my late husband's most treasured friends. True to his kind nature, it was Greg who took my daughter and I sailing to scatter Bill's ashes in the lake they sailed together so often. I am so sorry for your loss. "

Eric Tate wrote on Jul 19, 2015:

"It is true, we have lost a true visionary. Though I have never meet Greg personally, I thank him for his company Tormach. As an owner of one of his machines, he and his company has designed machinery that has brought CNC to the masses. An innovative idea. Because of him anyone can own a CNC in their own home or workshop. But these machines were designed to tackle real work and perform very close to industrial machines. Thank you Greg and Tormach for changing the face of Home CNC. My condolences to his family. "

Bill Blackburn wrote on Jul 19, 2015:

"Greg was a big help when I had issues with my PCNC1100. We talked on the phone a couple times and I could tel he was a carrying person. Very sorry for your loss."

Daniel Bye wrote on Jul 19, 2015:

"I met Greg in his garage before Tormach had an office, I purchased one of his early PCNC machines. I knew he was on to something. I told him at the time he would change the world with his invention. Over the years Greg and Tormach have been a valuable asset to myself and my company. He will be missed greatly, the world has lost a visionary."

Thomas D'Amico wrote on Jul 17, 2015:

"Have known Greg for over 48 years. He has always been a renaissance man, even in high school. Greg was a good friend and confidant. Can't believe he's gone. He will never be forgotten."

Mark Daugherty wrote on Jul 17, 2015:

"Greg was one of the most creative and resourceful people I have ever met. He cared deeply for the well being of everyone around him and always made an effort to motivate people and keep them growing. I will miss our conversations and friendship."

Don Truettner wrote on Jul 17, 2015:

"I had the pleasure of working with Greg at Marquip in Madison. Greg was a great engineer and wonderful person to be around. Condolences to his family and friends. Greg also introduced me to sailing on Lake Mendota which I will never forget. "Jibe Ho" Greg !"

Terry wrote on Jul 17, 2015:

"There are few opportunities in life, when you can meet someone so genuinely nice. Greg was willing to share his time and knowledge to teach others. I was fortunate enough to spend a couple days with him sailing. Not many would take a complete stranger out to begin showing them the ropes. He will be missed.but not forgotten. My sincere condolences.."

Andrea Johnson wrote on Jul 17, 2015:

"I had the pleasure of meeting you Greg. May you rest in paradise God bless "