Delmer Wagner, Inventor and Founder of Wagner Meters, Dies at 87

Delmer Werden Wagner, who founded Wagner Meters (Rogue River, Ore.) in 1965, died Dec. 22 in Grants Pass, Ore., at the age of 87.

Starting out as an electrician at a sawmill in Oregon, Wagner developed a more cost-effective and reliable contact moisture detector after hearing complaints from the mill’s management about finding dependable moisture detecting products. He left the mill two years later to found Wagner Electronics, creating and selling transistorized systems. He later developed and sold noncontact systems and was also the first to calibrate the measurements systems within percent moisture content, according to the company.

He sold the company to his son, Ed, in 1987.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that contributions be made to Better Life Broadcasting Network.