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Cable TV Pioneer Dies

Dec 27, 2011  •  Post A Comment

A veteran cable executive who helped develop technology that facilitated the expansion of the cable industry has died, Multichannel News reports.

Robert Bilodeau, the former president of the Society of Cable Television Engineers (SCTE), died Dec. 22 in Nantucket, Mass., at 78, the story reports.

Bilodeau, who studied electrical engineering and received a degree from the University of Massachusetts, began his career running his family’s upstart cable system, Tele-Cable in North Adams, Mass. He later joined Jerrold Electronics, where he was instrumental in developing technologies that helped the cable television industry grow and flourish.

He ran a number of cable systems, including Suburban Cablevision in New Jersey, which was knowwn for being technologically advanced in its day.

He was a charter member of SCTE, and from 1973-1979 was the organization’s president. In 2004, he was made a member of the SCTE Hall of Fame.

Thumbnail image for robert-bilodeau.jpgRobert Bilodeau

3 Comments

  1. I just found this link and I wanted to say thanks for letting people know about my dad. He did indeed contribute a great many things to the cable industry in his life – things that the world surfing through 1,000 channels on their television will likely never think about.
    It was his wish that along with his many invaluable contributions to cable, that it would be the memories he made with those he knew and loved that would remain his most lasting legacy. You all know who you are!
    I am proud to be his daughter and I miss him very much. May the geeks continue to inherit the earth, Dad : )
    Thank you again. JoNan Bilodeau

  2. He was a GREAT man, who changed my life for the better. I will never forget him, and will be forever grateful for the time I was given to spend with him. I’ll always treasure the memories I have…he took me to see Phantom Of The Opera on Broadway, introduced me to Blue Man Group before their international success, offered me guidance through my darkest hours…I can never repay him for that. I speak of him often. My father wouldn’t be who he is today if he hadn’t known Robert (Bob). Rest in peace, and many thanks, Robert. We’ll meet again someday 🙂
    With Love and Gratitude- Jamie Perlow

  3. I was with a group of old CATV engineer friends who all worked with your dad and we all agreed he was a huge force and major mentor in all our careers and work lives. We, even after all all these years, would love to hear the door open and hear….what are we doing..?

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