Almost eight years ago, Art Ross joined the Dankmeyer team in the Fabrication department. When he did, he brought a new level of color, vitality and creativity to the team. While Art’s primary responsibility was fabrication, he applied his artistic and graphic skills to lend marketing a hand with all kinds of graphics and flyers, and for quite a time regularly posted on Facebook. He became adept at the use of our first 3D printer, creating 3DPO, Dankmeyer’s 3D intern, and 3DPO’s four legged sidekick, Digit, among many other 3D tools and devices.
Art is well known in the community for his costuming talents, often volunteering for the American Visionary Art Museum’s Kinetic Sculpture Race. You can read about his efforts and some of his costumes by clicking here. He also attended a number of local middle school STEM festivals as part of the Dankmeyer team, teaching others about prosthetics and orthotics. He competed at least three times in OPAF’s Foot Shell contest, decorating a foot shell in a very imaginative way. We could always count on Art’s colorful collection of T shirts and eyewear - particularly during April and Limb Loss Awareness month when he seemed to have an endless supply of orange shirts - the signature color of the event. In his time at Dankmeyer he applied his skills to the 3D E-nable project, and in his every day work, produced a number of very colorful, themed prosthetic laminations - sure to please the wearer. Interesting enough, his last prosthesis is a very natural lamination.
We asked Art to write something about his time with us:
On June 3, 2013, I started my work with Dankmeyer, Inc. Prior to that I had worked as a graphic designer, logging 10 years with one company and nearly 30 with another. The latter was a publishing company that produced newspapers and directories (phone books). I started with the newspaper division and transitioned to the directories when I suggested some cost-saving and process improvements to my boss for that product. My suggestions became my job.
The more the internet became a regular part of people’s lives, the less they seemed to need or even want phone books so the decision was finally made to truncate (remove the staff) and sell off the directory division.
As I was exploring what to do with the remainder of my working career, my son Shawn who had been with Dankmeyer for 15 years, mentioned that they were hiring and willing to provide on-the-job training. Since my phone book skills were not in high demand and my internet skills were not exactly honed I jumped at the chance. As it turned out Shawn became my teacher and mentor.
I started out working in the plaster room pouring casts. Before too long I was able to start learning other parts of business such as blister molding test sockets and laminating.
I have been pleased to find that I am able to contribute to the company using my graphic arts skills, designing components for Dankmeyer’s 60th anniversary open house. My 2-D skills were expanded as I became part of the company’s early explorations into 3-D printing. One of my first efforts was to design 3DPO, our company mascot and his K9 sidekick Digit. I was also happy to be able to create an Ironman-themed arm for a young patient and later a Batman version when his super hero tastes changed.
In my time here I’ve been involved in more than a few of projects. Having started in the plaster room, it only seems fitting that my final projects are focused on revamping of the plaster room.
In seven plus years I’ve learned much. I have been privileged to be a part of an industry that can make such a profound impact on people’s lives. I’ve also been lucky to work with such a great bunch of people.
We will miss Art and his joyful approach to his work and his fellow teammates. Enjoy this slideshow of Art’s time at Dankmeyer.
