The firearms industry lost a true legend on Wednesday, January 22nd, with the passing of Doctor Phil Dater. You may not know his name or his history. But if you know anything at all about suppressors, you definitely know his legacy.
I had the privilege to work for Phil at Gemtech for almost a decade, and I can truly say he will be missed.
Photos courtesy of JK Armament.
Dr. Phil Dater: Goodbye to a Suppression Pioneer
by Patti Miller
Doc Dater started with suppressors in the late 1950s, and as he used to love to recount in stories over the years, he created suppressors in the machine shop in the basement of a hospital where he worked. He tinkered over the years and officially started AWC in New Mexico, where he registered his designs and started production models for sale. He would later leave New Mexico for the Boise, Idaho area.
There, in the early 1990s, he created Gemtech.
For the next three decades, Phil would continue to build the company with his business partners, colleagues, and employees. Many of his designs from the early days through his time at Gemtech would be copied by competitors or used as the basis for the next generation of suppressors in the industry as we know it today. In addition to Gemtech, he would dedicate time and effort to share his vast knowledge base with others in the industry through seminars, writings, and mentoring others in the suppressor industry. That’s just a brief description of what he accomplished – his life was much more than that.
Anyone who knew Phil knew how passionate he was. He held strong beliefs about many things, including suppressors and sound suppression. At times, this would cause some heated debates regarding techniques or applications. But in the end, Phil really cared about the science and, more importantly, the people. While not always patient, he was usually ready and willing to help you learn.
I’m not going to lie and say that we always got along perfectly. I can honestly say there were many times we didn’t, but he never treated me any differently. He would go out of his way for those he cared about, and if you were one of the lucky ones he cared about, his generosity would know no bounds. He would strive to do what was right for those around him, and he was a man of his word. Phil went out of his way to take care of me as an employee at different times, and for that I’m extremely grateful. It was a testament to his overall caring and generous nature.
All I can say is that if you’re currently enjoying shooting suppressed, you need to thank Doc Dater. He will be very much missed, and the industry wouldn’t have been the same without him.
So, here’s the legend: may he rest in peace.
Learn more about the history of Gemtech or learn more about Doc Dater on RECOILweb or on Small Arms Defense Journal.
Patti Miller is a longtime industry/marketing maven with a passion for search and rescue work, overlanding, shooting suppressed, and mighty works of gardening. Learn more at Everything Miller.
You can read more of Miller’s work on Breach-Bang-Clear, the Cadre Dispatch, The Mag Life, and other publications.
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