Goodbye To My Friend Joyce Horstman

On March 19, 2009 my friend, Joyce Horstman, passed away. I first met Joyce many years ago when I was working at AMF Head Ski in Boulder, Colorado. In 1975, when I became a Quality Control Department Supervisor, my manager suggested that I find out more about ASQC. This is an organization devoted to quality control professionals and exchanging ideas and techniques of the trade. I met many nice and helpful people through ASQC. One of the best was Joyce Horstman. We worked together on seminars and took classes together and shared the experiences of women in a predominately male field. Joyce was the manager in the Gage & Metrology Lab in the Quality Assurance Department at Hewlett Packard Company in Loveland, Colorado.

I was employed at Hewlett Packard in March 1981, and this was in manufacturing. I didn't care what the job was, I knew I wanted to work for this company. During my first week there, I felt so put of place, as I hadn't done manufacturing for many years. I loved being an inspector and that is what I had done for the last few years. I will never forget the day I looked up and saw Joyce walking toward my work station. I was amazed that she took the time to come and welcome me to Hewlett Packard. I felt so forlorn, wondering whatI had gotten myself into and she was all smiles and said, "You won't be here, doing this job, for long." I had no idea what she was talking about, but it made me feel 10 feet tall!

I didn't know it of course, but one of her technicians was ready to retire and she had plans for me. Joyce was a very determined lady and when she set a goal, not much stood a chance of stopping her. Hewlett Packard had a policy that new hires could not bid on jobs for the first six months of employment. Can you believe it? When I had been there six months I was already working in the Gage & Metrology Lab!! As I said, Joyce was a very determined lady.

This began the last and best job of my entire life. I loved the precision and specialty of the job. Joyce was a great boss and I loved working for her. Joyce retired from Hewlett Packard in 1983. She would stop in to see us periodically, but she moved into retirment with the same grace and elegance that she did everything in her life. She was always a lady and a friend.

I haven't seen her since I retired from Hewlett Packard in 1997. Good friends do not require constant attention and she was a very good friend. I will always treasure knowing her and will always be grateful for her taking me under her wing. Rest in peace, Joyce Horstman.