EVS's Don Ingalsbe dies in tractor accident

Ingalsbe was the former owner of Electronic Video Systems, a firm specializing in the sale and service of video systems for commercial, audio-visual and security systems applications. He sold EVS in 2001, but continued to work for the company as CEO and as a semi-retired business consultant.

Getting his start in electronics as an aviation technician in the U.S. Navy in 1953, Ingalsbe went to work for KWTO radio in 1957 and KTTS radio in 1959 before joining KTTS TV, which later became KOLR 10, said Lou Ingalsbe, his wife of more than 48 years. He was at KOLR 10 until 1979, she added.

For the last 20 years, Ingalsbe was affiliated with Electronic Video Systems – as co-owner from 1985 to 1990 and sole owner from 1990 to 2001, selling EVS to Marta Haden in 2001.

In addition to its Springfield headquarters, EVS has sales offices in St. Louis, Kansas City, West Plains, Tulsa and Little Rock. The company employs 22 and had more than $8 million in sales for 2003, said General Manager and Vice President Raun Hamilton.

Knowing Ingalsbe for 20 years – first as a purchaser of electronic equipment and as a colleague at EVS for six years – Hamilton said Ingalsbe was a coach to him in his current position.

“We feel a very severe loss of a friend and a mentor with losing Don,” said Hamilton, who spent most of the Monday and Tuesday following Ingalsbe’s death fielding phone calls from people who knew him. A phrase he heard repeatedly about Ingalsbe: He was “one of the last true gentlemen of the industry.”

While Ingalsbe had stepped down from a full-time role at EVS after selling the company, he still wielded a positive and personal influence on business operations through his long list of contacts, Hamilton said. That’s what grew the business, he said, and the company will continue to build on the relationships he established.

Sole stockholder Haden said she often discussed day-to-day operations with Ingalsbe. She added that there could be a potential impact on some business relationships he cultivated during his career, but most of those relationships have transitioned since she took over ownership.

Tom McKleroy, chief engineer at KY3, said something that impressed him about Ingalsbe was that he would always go the distance, even when there might not have been a sale involved. When he first met Ingalsbe in 1983, McKleroy worked for independent TV station KBSI in Cape Girardeau and Ingalsbe worked for Springfield-based Lines Video.

Ingalsbe knew most significant buying decisions were made on the corporate level, but he took the time to get to know the people who worked with the equipment, said McKleroy, who utilized Ingalsbe’s experience and expertise often.

“My business dealings with Don Ingalsbe were always very honorable. I really am going to miss the guy,” McKleroy said.

The outpouring of support from manufacturers and business associates has been strong, Lou Ingalsbe said. “I just wish he could know.”

The Ingalsbes have two children and seven grandchildren.