[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 171 (Wednesday, November 30, 2016)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1551]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          TRIBUTE IN HONOR OF THE LIFE OF KENNETH L. SCHROEDER

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. ANNA G. ESHOO

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 30, 2016

  Ms. ESHOO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and work of a 
pioneer in Silicon Valley, Kenneth L. Schroeder, who died on October 
26, 2016 at his home in Los Altos Hills, California, at the age of 70, 
due to complications of ALS.
  Ken Schroeder was born in Illinois, earned a BSEE from the University 
of Wisconsin and an MBA from University of Pennsylvania's Wharton 
School of Business. He received numerous academic honors, including 
membership in Tau Beta Pi and was selected as one of the ``125 People 
of Impact'' at UW. His first job after Wharton was at Hewlett-Packard. 
He then joined Spectra Physics where he became General Manager of the 
Construction Laser Division. In 1979, Ken joined KLA Instruments as 
Vice President of Manufacturing, and became President and COO in 1991.
  Under Ken's leadership, the company made great strides. Semiconductor 
test equipment became a multibillion dollar market, and KLA-Tencor was 
named one of the ``Best Managed Companies'' by Forbes Magazine. 
Electronic Business Magazine rated KLA-Tencor one of the best run 
semiconductor equipment companies in the world, and the company 
received accolades for its employee training programs. San Jose 
Magazine ranked KLA-Tencor as ``one of the best places to work'' in 
Silicon Valley. VLSI Research named Ken Schroeder ``Most Valuable 
Executive'' and elected him to its Hall of Fame. During his time as CEO 
of KLA-Tencor, sales doubled and retained earnings tripled.
  Ken leaves his beloved wife, Fran Codispoti, his son Christian, his 
daughter-in-law Sarah and grandson Erik; his daughter Margaux and his 
son-in-law Brian. He also leaves his sister Nancy, his brother Robert, 
many loving family members and countless friends.
  Ken Schroeder was a national treasure. He was a giant of a man, 
tremendously effective in business, big of heart, huge in his 
generosity and tall in stature. I consider it a great privilege to have 
known him and called him my friend, and he will be missed by all who 
had the privilege of knowing him.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the entire House of Representatives to join me in 
extending our most sincere condolences to the love of Ken's life, Fran, 
and to the entire Schroeder family.

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