C. Paul Stocker, BSEE ’26, HON ’74

C. Paul Stocker, BSEE '26 and LDD-ENGR '74 (HON), was an inventive genius and an astute electrical engineer and businessman. His devices were patented in 26 foreign countries. After his graduation from Ohio University in 1926 with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, Paul went to work for Bell Laboratories in New York City. During the Depression and mass layoffs, he lost his job. Stocker invented many things but was best know for the Sub Cycle static frequency converter, which was a revolutionary design for the telephone industry. To market his invention, he started his own research and development company in 1936; Lorain Products. The company developed and manufactured hundreds of products for communications and industry and grew to over 1,000 employees and numerous plants in northern Ohio, Canada and Mexico. To this day, the Sub-Cycle remains the longest continuously manufactured part in the telephone industry.

Paul Stocker served on many boards including the Lorain Library Board, Mayor’s Committee on Civic Improvement, and the Lorain National Bank. In 1965, he was named Lorain Man of the Year. Stocker was a member of the Ohio University Board of Trustees from 1958-1972, and served as Chairman. He received the Ohio University Alumni Medal of Merit and 1978. Beth and Paul Stocker were the first couple to be named Alumni of the Year. He was an original member of the College Board of Visitors appointed by Dean Taylor. In 1985, the new building that currently houses the Russ College of Engineering and Technology was named in honor of the Stockers for their generosity of commitment and support for the engineering and technology students and faculty at Ohio University.