Peoria, IL - Oct 26, 2009 - Donald L. Markley, founder of D.L. Markley Consulting Engineers died Oct. 22, 2009. He was born in Peoria on June 10, 1936. He was 73. Markley was an occasional contributor to Radio magazine and a regular contributor to Broadcast Engineering magazine.

Markley enlisted in the Navy in 1954. He trained at Great Lakes and then at Treasure Island, Norfolk, VA, and Key West, FL. He served in the Navy for nearly four years. Three years of that were served aboard the destroyer USS Hyman. Upon completion of his naval career, he attended the Milwaukee School of Engineering and Bradley University. He graduated with both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in electrical engineering.

In 1964, he began a teaching career in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Technology at Bradley University. He continued teaching until establishing his own consulting firm for radio and television, which has been in business for more than 40 years.

Markley was a member of the Association of Federal Communications Consulting Engineers; the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, where he was named Engineer of the Year in 1992 for the Illinois Valley Section; Bradley University Chiefs Club; and numerous honorary organizations; and was a registered professional engineer in the state of Illinois. Additionally, he mentored a number of young engineers in the broadcast field throughout his career, including his protege, Jeremy D. Ruck.

He was a writer of hundreds of articles on radio and television, as well as a frequent conference presenter, and was an amateur radio operator with call sign K9WFG.

A message on the firm's home page says:

It is with sadness that I share news with you of the passing of our president and founder, Donald L. Markley, PE. Don passed away on Thursday October 22, 2009 in Peoria, IL surrounded by his family after a long and courageous battle with Multiple Myeloma. Don's remarkable knowledge, wisdom, and personality will be missed by all who knew him. Although Don is no longer with us physically, his vision lives on in the legacy that is D.L. Markley & Associates. For more than 40 years, we have served our clients with personalized attention and quality work. This will continue. All of us here at D.L. Markley & Associates remain committed to each and every one of you, and we look forward to our continued relationships for many years to come.

Memorial contributions can be made to the D.L. Markley Scholarship Fund at South Side Bank in Peoria, IL. Funds will be used to establish a scholarship for electrical engineering students at Bradley University. Alternately, contributions can be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Ave., Fifth floor, Norwalk, CT 06851, in memory of Don.