Scott Atwood Mabusth

Scott Atwood Mabusth, 94, of Long Lake, Minnesota, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on January 6, 2026.

Born May 5, 1931, in Cokato, Minnesota, Scott was a lifelong inventor and computer technology pioneer whose career stretched from the earliest punch-card computing era to the rise of interactive touch interfaces.

As a teenager, Scott's fascination with electronics took root in North Carolina, where he immersed himself in radios and circuitry. He later served in the U.S. Air Force at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, working on early IBM and Univac systems where he received advanced technical training. After returning to Minnesota, he worked at Univac and later Control Data Corporation, supporting major software and hardware installations including the University of Minnesota. Scott was a pioneer in capacitance-based touch technology that started with his first company Bionics, formed in 1969. He later started Information Dialogs (1973), and eventually Volks Communications (1982). His 1985 patent (US4550221) helped establish hardware and software techniques for capacitive touch sensing that are foundational in modern touch interfaces still in use today, such as cell phones, tablets, and personal computers.

Scott met Jeanne Andrea Gallagher in the mid-1950s, and they were married in 1957 in New York City. Scott and his wife Jeanne built a life together rooted in deep love, friendship, and family. Jeanne was the bedrock of the family and steadfastly supported Scott through the many years of his inventions and the companies he founded, always standing beside him through the very best, and the most difficult times.

Outside of work, Scott loved the outdoors and the home he and Jeanne shared in Orono, Minnesota. He enjoyed maintaining the property and observing wildlife and feeding the birds. He was an avid photographer who captured countless family moments and the natural beauty around him. Scott could fix almost anything mechanical, patiently tracking down parts and implementing solutions with determination and craftsmanship. He also loved music, especially jazz, R&B, and rock and roll and attended many concerts with his family over the years. He was also a unique dancer when the mood struck him and had a style all his own. One of Scott's most endearing traits was his sense of humor. He would often wake up in the morning after dreaming up some hilarious joke, or sharing some funny scenario or situation that always entertained his family, friends, and co-workers.

Scott is survived by his beloved wife of many decades, Jeanne Mabusth (Gallagher); his children John Mabusth, Scott Mabusth Jr. (Marianne), Stuart Mabusth (Mary), and Lee Mabusth (Mike Mayasich); his grandchildren Brittany Laine Mason, Patrick Mabusth (Kaitlyn), Kate Vitolo (Marc), Jared Mabusth, Nolan Mabusth (Cassie Meyer), and Drew Mabusth (Nick Benish); and nine great-grandchildren.

A service and celebration of life will be held in Spring 2026. Scott's life narrative can be found at www.swansonpeterson.com/obituaries.