Mr. Atkinson was born in Baltimore, MD on August 23, 1927 to Philip Eric Atkinson and Dorothy Lipps Atkinson.  He attended schools and colleges in Baltimore and served in the U.S. Marine Corps in WWII.  He was an engineer and program manager for Westinghouse Defense & Electronics in Linthicum, MD for 42 years inventing, designing and producing fire control, radar and missile components and systems.  He converted several military systems to commercial applications.  Mr. Atkinson was a volunteer for many years for the Volunteers for Medical Engineering in Baltimore.

He moved to Saluda, SC in 1998.  He founded and remained active until his death in Enabling Technologies Associates (“Enabletech”).  Enabletech is a volunteer organization of engineers and medical professionals dedicated to providing independence to those with disabilities through the application of innovative technologies. 

Mr. Atkinson is survived by his wife of 55 years, Joanna P. Atkinson, his brother John W. Atkinson, his sister Elizabeth Atkinson Schuler, as well as many nieces and nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, and great-grandnieces and great-grand nephews.  He was predeceased by a daughter, Christine DeCesare.

It was Mr. Atkinson’s wish that in lieu of flowers or gifts that people do something in his memory to help a less fortunate person.