In Memoriam

Froyd Inspired Others, Impacted Engineering Education

Inspirational and award-winning engineering educator and dedicated alumnus Jeff Froyd, PhD, (MA, 1975) died October 5, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio. He co-created the Integrated First-Year Curriculum in Science, Engineering and Mathematics at Rose-Hulman and earned the institute’s Dean’s Outstanding Teacher Award in 1985. After leaving Rose-Hulman he was part of the leadership team for Texas A&M University’s National Science Foundation-sponsored ADVANCE project and had been chair of the Department of Engineering Education at Ohio State University. Survivors include his son, Nathan Froyd (CS/MA, 2002).

Paul D. Ford (EE, 1951), 96, died June 2, 2022, in West Terre Haute, Indiana. He owned a series of religious-programing radio stations in west-central Indiana and east-central Illinois after being a respected professional broadcast engineering consultant. Robert E. Johnson (EE, 1952), 91, died August 30, 2022, in Centerville, Ohio. He retired as a senior electrical facility engineer with Delco Products Corporation. Survivors include niece Cate Dragani (BE, 2007). Robert A. Brave (ME, 1953), 94, died July 25, 2022, in Plymouth, Michigan. He retired after 36 years with Marathon Oil Company. John W. Sawyers (ME, 1954), 90, died September 22, 2022, in Waterford, Michigan. He spent 30 years with General Motor Company’s Pontiac Motor Division before retiring with Nissan Research & Development. Merritt G. Marbach (MSCHE, 1955), 94, died May 30, 2022, in Houston. He spent his entire professional career as a chemical engineer with Shell Chemicals until retiring in 1991. Richard K. Irey (ME, 1958), 85, died February 18, 2022, in Fernandina, Florida. He spent his career in higher education, serving as department head and interim dean at Florida International University, department head at the University of Toledo, and professor at the University of Florida. Richard A. Light (ME, 1958), 87, died October 1 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He retired as vice president of sales with Freudenberg-Nok. Richard N. Streacker (ME, 1958), 85, died July 29, 2022, in Terre Haute. He worked with several companies throughout the country before joining his family’s business in his hometown. Robert G. Sutton (EE, 1958), 86, died August 6, 2022, in Apollo Beach, Florida. He was a transmission engineer for 30 years with Public Service Indiana.

J. Michael (Mick) Adams

(CHE, 1959), 84, died August 15, 2022, in Terre Haute. He worked in research, development and process engineering with Visqueen/Tredegar Corporation for 40 years. Joseph L. Bronnert (EE, 1959), 85, died September 20, 2022, in Columbus, Indiana. He spent his entire career with Public Service Indiana. Raymond H. Gompf (ME, 1959), 86, died July 27, 2022, in Merritt Island, Florida. Ronald J. Hubers (EE, 1960), 83, died May 17, 2022, in Miamisburg, Ohio. He worked with North American Aeronautics and retired after 40 years with McDonnell Douglas/Boeing Company. David L. South (CE, 1966), 80, died October 25, 2022, in Crawfordsville, Indiana. He retired after being a land surveyor with the Indiana Department of Transportation. J. Steven Flannigan (EE, 1968), 76, died May 16, 2022, in Houston. After working with Texas Instruments, he was of the first employees with Compaq Computer Corporation and retired in 2005.

James J. Houdeshell

(CHE, 1969), 75, died July 31, 2022, in Dayton, Ohio. As an engineer with General Motors Company’s Inland Division, he assisted in the development of the first commercial driver airbag safety system. Later, he taught engineering technology at Sinclair Community College for 30 years until his retirement in 2008. Charles M. Kruse (MA, 1969), 75, died June 6, 2022, in Englewood, Ohio. He was a quality assurance engineer with NCR Corporation and Johnson Electric Group. Richard W. Bieman (CHE, 1970), 73, died January 28, 2022, in Lakeland, Florida. Terry E. Nelson (ME, 1972), 72, died June 13, 2022, in Alexandria, Virginia. He retired in 2011 with the Saudi Aramco Oil Company. W. Marc Modisett ((ME, 1975), 69, died May 16, 2022, in Waterford, Michigan. He worked as an engineer in the automotive industry. Michael A. Morris (EE, 1977), 66, died July 11, 2022, in Champaign, Illinois. He retired after 20 years with Kraft-Heinz. Bruce E. Wilkinson (CHE, 1977), 67, died July 9, 2022, in Chillicothe, Ohio. He had a 37-year career with the Goodyear Atomic Corporation.

Harry B. Flotemersch

(EE, 1984), 60, died August 19, 2022, in Flint, Michigan. He worked for a variety of companies, including General Motors Company’s AC Spark Plug division and Chrysler.

Christopher K. Goltwald

(ME, 1992), 54, died November 28, 2022, in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. He was an engineer with Pentair.

Mark A. Winternheimer

(CHE, 1996), 47, died July 10, 2022, in Evansville, Indiana. He was a consultant with Jacobs Solutions. Bryce J. Gast (CE, 2003), 41, died October 3, 2022, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was the administrative engineer for the City of Goshen, Indiana. Tiffany A. Parrott (CHE/ BCMB), 34, died September 17, 2022, in Chicago. She was an engineer with Valdes Engineering Company, Middough Inc, and GE Digital.

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