Less than a year ago, he was walking and driving. Now, he is only barely able to move his right foot. Breathing has become the job of the machine that feeds him air 24/7. His once perpetually tinkering hands are motionless.
He is "ready to meet my maker," the founder of Therm-Omega-Tech Inc., a manufacturer of temperature-control valves in Warminster, said during an interview earlier this month at his home in the township. There, medical professionals provide round-the-clock care.
Yet, never one to let up on improving what exists, Pirkle still is working - even though he's no longer able to pick up a tool. These days, his work is predominantly about legacy building. Specifically, he wants to ensure that he is playing a part in helping preserve - if not bolster - U.S. manufacturing long after his inventive mind is quieted and his ability to create American jobs has passed.
In December, Pirkle pledged $25 million to his alma mater, Sam Houston State University, outside Houston. As the largest single-gift commitment to the school, his contribution will enable the establishment of an engineering-technology program.
"I'm very much about America and . . . putting Americans back to work," Pirkle said when asked about the gift, to be paid out within 10 years. "It's critically important that we retool and retrain people, particularly young people, to take these critically important jobs to put us back in the forefront of manufacturing worldwide."
As president, chief executive officer, and sole owner of Therm-Omega-Tech, Pirkle said he decided after his life-shortening ALS diagnosis last April that "I have to be willing to put my money where my mouth is."
And, it turns out, where his heart is. Manufacturing "just became my love," Pirkle said of his career choice.
