July 8, 2019
In Memory of Mike Plaisted
Alan “Mike” Plaisted, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday, passed away on April 26th, 2019, at home with his loving family by his side. He was born in Fort Fairfield, Maine to Leigh and Pearl Plaisted.
Mike grew up on the University of Maine campus in Orono, and graduated with a degree in Engineering in 1951. He started his career with GTE Sylvania, specializing in new ventures and left after 20+ years to establish ULVAC North America in Kennebunk, Maine. As the company president he loved working with his customers, bringing new technologies to semiconductor manufacturing and even anti-counterfeiting of Canadian currency. He founded his own company, Soleras LTD, in Biddeford Maine, specializing in the vacuum/thin film industry and he holds numerous patents in the field. Mike served as the President of the Society of Vacuum Coaters and has supported the international technical conference for many years. After selling Soleras in 2012, his love of Aroostook County drew him to a new venture supporting local craftsmen. Mike will be remembered by the industry as a mentor to all.
Mike was a true Renaissance man; there wasn’t anything he didn’t know SOMETHING about. His love of learning never left him. Mike was an avid reader and a master storyteller. He shared his love of the great Maine outdoors with his children and grandchildren, including sailing, canoeing on the Allagash, fly fishing, skiing, and climbing Mt. Katahdin. He loved nothing more than getting into his truck and going on an adventure.
Mike’s full obituary can be found at: https://www.healdfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Alan-Mike-Plaisted?obId=4347468#/
We are honored that Mike listed the SVC Foundation for donations in his name and any donations received will help support the Industry Scholarship program which Mike generously supported since its inception. If you would like to Donate to Mike’s memory, please go to: https://www.svcfoundation.org/product/donate/ and select “Industry Scholarship Fund – Mike Plaisted Memorial Fund” where it asks for the “Select Fund”.
