Earlier this month, in the middle of the IMAPS Device Packaging Conference Welcome Reception, I got an upsetting text from a fellow SemiSister, Jane Evans-Ryan, founder and principal of Genuity PR, telling me that she had just learned of Paul Werbaneth’s unexpected death on February 7. 2025 at his home in Pittsburgh, PA. He was 67 years old.
It was a somewhat surreal experience to get this news while among those who knew Paul from all his years representing various suppliers to the advanced packaging and MEMS industries. I shared the news with a few people who knew him well, and everyone was shocked in the moment. I tucked it away to think about later. I honestly don’t think it registered right away.
Later came when Paul’s daughters, Saori and Akiko shared the news via Paul’s LinkedIn profile, and the comments started raining in – everyone shocked and saddened, with tribute after tribute to Paul’s kindness, passion for all things Japanese, literature, good food, wine, the outdoors, as well as his dedication to the semiconductor industry. I was at a loss for words until I saw Saori and Akiko’s post. And then I seemed to find them.
As the most active member of the 3D InCites Technical Advisory board from 2010 until 2022, Paul was a frequent contributor and represented 3D InCites at a number of industry events. He even wore the official 3D InCites hat at IMAPS International Symposium in Boston in 2019.
He had taken a pause from his career in 2019 to care for his aging mother. But he still kept his hand in the industry through participation in semiconductor organizations like the Northern California Chapter of the American Vacuum Society, the MEMS Industry Group, and of course, 3D InCites. Because his last professional position was outside the advanced packaging space, we lost touch for a little while.
Paul was a good friend and great colleague. But he was so much more than that. He was a gentlemen and a scholar. He managed to turn mundane technical topics into poetry. When he hosted a booth at a conference, he made sure there were fresh flowers on the table. He enjoyed sharing good food and wine – and was always forthcoming with restaurant recommendations.
In 2010, when 3D InCites was barely a year old, he decided I needed to learn first-hand how the semiconductor business worked in Japan. Then at Tegal, he sponsored a whirlwind, 3-day trip to Tokyo for a TSV conference. At that time, I didn’t have the budget to extend it. But thanks to Paul, I got to make the most of a brief visit. Since the conference itself was one day, Paul made sure I got a true taste of Japan, showing me what sites he could in the two half-days that allowed for it.
The last time I saw Paul in person was at SEMICON West 2023, outside the 3D InCites podcast station, where we only chatted briefly before I was called away and he went on to visit other colleagues. The first thing that crossed my mind when I learned of his death, was that I wish I had made the time to at least grab a beer with him that week. If I’d known it was the last time we’d have that opportunity, I would have made the effort. But as they say, hindsight is 20:20. I don’t think Paul would hold it against me. It just wasn’t his style.
So next time you get together with old friends, take that extra time. Because you just never know.
Rest in Peace, Paul. You were one of the good ones, and the world is a little less kind without you.
You can find all of Paul’s 3D InCites posts here.
