G. Palmer Humphrey Sr. was baaaack at SPE-Antec, once again delivering his trademark funny adjournment motion at the Society of Plastics Engineers' annual business luncheon.
For many years, Humphrey and fellow SPE veteran Guy A. Martinelli got laughs at the Annual Technical Conference for their Laurel-and-Hardy-style adjournment motion, followed by seconding the motion.
Humphrey joined SPE's New York Section in 1946. A few years after that, Martinelli joined the society, and the two became close friends.
At SPE-Antec in Charlotte, Humphrey made the motion to adjourn the May 8 business lunch. The motion was seconded by his grandson, William J. Humphrey, who drove Palmer up from South Carolina, home of the family's custom molding factory, R.C. Molding Inc., in Greer.
Palmer Humphrey no longer attends each Antec, a concession to age. He said Martinelli doesn't travel much these days. They talk a lot on the phone.
At the 2001 Antec in Dallas, the two buddies used technology to adjourn the meeting. SPE officials played a videotape of the motion and the second, as Humphrey and Martinelli spoke from a golf course, clubs in hand.
At the Charlotte meeting, Humphrey proved he still had a sense of humor. He walked up to the front of the ballroom to deliver ``most likely my last hurrah.''
He asked for a show of hands for members of the Plastics Pioneers Association, a group that requires 25 years or more of industry experience. After a few people raised their hands, he quipped: ``At least you're alive.''