The suppressor industry lost a pioneer and legend with the recent passing of Dr. Phil “Doc” Dater. Dr. Dater was best known as one of the founders of Gemtech in 1993, but his influence on the suppressor industry began decades before that. An Air Force veteran and licensed medical doctor, Dater began tinkering with suppressors in the early 1960’s in the basement machine shop of the hospital he worked at. It was a way to deal with hours of boredom during long shifts at the hospital as a radiologist.
He founded the Automatic Weapons Company (AWC) in 1976, in Taos, NM. In 1993, Dater moved to Boise, ID where he formed Gemini Technologies, better known as Gemtech. Dater was an early innovator in the burgeoning suppressor industry. He pushed the science of suppressor development and was an early adopter of cutting-edge sound testing and high-speed camera equipment. Many of his design influences are still present in leading suppressor models today.
“I had the distinct privilege of working for Phil for nearly11 years at Gemtech before coming to the American Suppressor Association,” said ASA Vice President Owen Miller. “He was an incredible mentor who had a profound impact on my career development within the industry. More importantly he was great friend, and he will be truly missed.”
Images Courtesy of JK Armament & Dater Family
