Gary and Cynthia Porter

Gary Porter is a multifaceted octogenarian—family man, entrepreneur, retired CEO, speaker, golf enthusiast, and philanthropist. Above all, Gary is a survivor. He earned that distinction through sheer will, outstanding medical care, and the loving support of his family.

A native of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, Gary spent his childhood observing his father’s business, which manufactured flow metering devices using precision bore, tapered glass tubing, to measure the flow rates of liquids and gases. This type of flowmeter was used widely in science and industry. In 1958, Gary left Lafayette College and began working in his father’s company. In 1961, he started a new job, working for a company that manufactured surgical anesthesia equipment. In 1968, using the experience and technology he learned over the previous ten years, Gary launched Porter Instrument Company, whose first product was a device for dentists to administer oxygen and nitrous oxide to patients for sedation purposes. Porter Instrument became the world leader in the nitrous oxide sedation market.