Terry Wellman, an American technologist credited with designing an advanced PC-based page layout system and envisioning today’s smartphones, has died aged 72.

Indigo Women founder Kathleen Kaiser says for many, “he was the ‘gestalt technologist’, using his broad knowledge in all areas of technology and his own creativity to predict and design leading edge products.

“He loved sharing that passion and enthusiasm,” she says.

Born in Chicago, he graduated Antioch College in 1963 with a degree in business and psychology. A passion for computers and technology led to a successful career, first in sales of mainframes and then to management positions with companies developing dedicated word processors, desktop computers, and numerous imaging devices for the graphic arts.

In the mid 1980s he created a conceptual model for a ‘personal infocom’ much like the smartphones of today. He designed and brought to market MPath, a graphical front end for the CTOS operating system.

In 1986 he designed specifications and managed development of a page layout and integrated paint-and-draw product for the PC called InPrint,well in advance of products on the market at the time.

Wellman held executive positions with Wang, AB Dick, Varityper, Optronics and his own consulting firm, Market Presence.

His wife of 47 years, Lisa Wellman is also keenly involved in graphic arts technology. A former Apple vice president for publishing, entertainment and new media markets and was chief executive of HP spin-off DeepCanyon.com, she is now chief executive of SustainCommWorld, of which her husband had been marketing vice president.