Arkansas Engineer

The magazine of the University of Arkansas College of Engineering

1950

Larry G. Stephens, BSIE’58, Hot Springs, Arkansas, graduating in 1958 from the University of Arkansas, Larry Stephens is 79 and still the chairman ofMid-South Engineering Company—now 120 employees strong. He is also the American Society of Plumbing Engineers Engineer of the year.

1960

Philip E. Baker, BSME’62, Houston, not retired yet and still working with Philip E. Baker Properties. Building small office buildings in North West Houston.

William A. Harrison Sr., BSIE’66, received the Andrew T. Boggs Service Award from the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air- Conditioning Engineers. This award recognizes and Exceptional Service Award Recipient for continuing unselfish, dedicated, and distinguished service.

1980

Joe W. Hill, BSEE’80, Hallsville, Texas, achieved senior member status in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and promoted to associate
electrical engineer for Eastman Chemical Company.

IN MEMORIAM

 

1940

James M. Shivley, BSCE’48, Bandon, Oregon, August 23. After high school he began work in the CCC Camps and then joined the Army Corps of Engineers and went to help with the Panama Canal Commission. He later returned to the U.S. and served for a few more years in the Army. Shivley’s passion was construction and he worked on several dam projects throughout the nation. He became an expert at managing construction projects. Survivors: His wife, Lorna R. Shivley, one daughter, two sons, nine grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

John F. Masters, BSME’49, Greenville, Mississippi, July 28. He was a U.S. Navy veteran and honorably discharged. He received a degree in mechanical engineering and retired as a manufacturing manager from US Gypsum. Survivors: his wife of 65 years, Maxine Masters, two sons, one grandchild and one great-granddaughter.

1950

Kenneth L. Pitchford, BSCE’51, Bakersfield, California, July 25. He served 22 years as a meteorologist with the U.S. Air Force and earned his Masters of Science from New York University. He worked with Mission Control for the first moon landing in 1969. He retired from the Air Force in 1972 and then worked several years in industry before retiring. Survivors: his wife of 61 years, Dreda, three daughters, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Bill R. Parkey, BSME’52, Houston, July 23. He retired in 1995 after 43 years in his engineering and business career. Survivors: his wife of 60 years, Ellen, three children and six grandchildren.

Roland L. Finley, BSCE’52, Huntsville, Alabama, August 9. He served two years active duty in the medical department of the U.S. Army then in the Army Reserves for many years until he retired at the rank of colonel. He was employed at Boeing Aerospace, where he worked on many aerospace engineering projects such as the Saturn 5 program, the design team for the lunar rover (the moon buggy) that was used to transport astronauts on the moon and on military weapons design. Survivors: five children, three grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

James Hugh Little, BSCE’53, Jefferson City, Missouri, November 4. He served in the U.S. Army from 1954 to 1956. Later, he was awarded a fellowship from the Automotive Safety Foundation to undertake graduate studies at Yale University. He was a member of the Missouri Professional Engineers where he was name Outstanding Young Engineer of the Year in 1963. Survivors his sister and many nieces and nephews.

John Kaiser II, BSEE’54, Seattle, Washington, July 27. He worked for Boeing for more than 40 years as an electronic engineer where he then retired.

Ed Albritton, BSAGE’55, Junction City, Louisiana, November 8. He worked for many years in Soil Conservation before accepting a position in Victoria with Wesson Farms. He was instrumental in their catfish farming operation. In 1988,he accepted a position with the drainage district manager from which he retired in 2011. Survivors: his wife, Sue, three daughters, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Max Kopp, BSEE’57, Van Nuys, California, May 17, 2014. He served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force Arkansas Air National Guard. In 1968 he co-founded Validyne Engineering Corporation where he retired as president in 2012. Survivors: three children, 13 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Gerald W. Andrews, BSIE’58, The Villages, Florida, January 6, 2013. He worked as a professional industrial engineer and was a Korean War veteran. Survivors: wife, Dorthy, one son, two daughters, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

1960

Johnny F. McDaniel, BSME’61, Germantown, Tennessee, July 22. He served 28 years as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force, having flown over 13,000 hours at the time of his retirement. After retirement he worked as a defense contractor and C-141 simulation instructor. Survivors: his wife of 55 years, Rita, four sons, nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Cecil C. Gentry Jr., BSIE’61 MSME’65, Bartlesville, Oklahoma, October 9. He was a Registered Professional Engineer in Oklahoma and spent the last 28 years of his career at Philips Petroleum Company, retiring as manager, Heat Transfer and Fluid Mechanics. Survivors: wife of 54 years and two sons, Mark Cecil Gentry BSME’93 and Matt Calvin Gentry BSME’90.

Minor Ross Jenkins II, BSEE’63, Montgomery, Alabama, July 13. He served in the U.S. Army. Survivors: three children and four granddaughters.

Jim D. Fant, BSIE’65, Roland, Oklahoma. Fant was in his 11th year of teaching at Heavener. He was a math and credit recovery teacher.

James H. Shields III, BSIE’67 MSIE’71, Fort Smith, November 14. He was a successful businessman with his work in Estee Lauder, Revlon, and Bausch andLomb. Shields served in the U.S. Army calvary, here and in Germany. He achieved rank of First Lieutenant. Survivors: wife, Sarah Shields, one son, James Homer Shields IV, two granddaughters and one sister.

Billy Don Brown, BSEE’67, Little Rock, December 29, 2015. He served his country in the Vietnam War as a Missile Technician Third Class on several Navy submarines from 1967 to 1969. He was a former mathematics instructor for the Bald Knob and Maynard, Arkansas, school systems and a retired maintenance electrician for the companies Genstar and Wheatland Tube and Conduit in Little Rock. Survivors: His wife Alma, two sons and two sisters.

Cloyse A. Ritchey, BSEE’68, Little Rock, September 8. He was a captain and fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force where he served two tours in Vietnam. Survivors: five children and seven grandchildren.

Jim Dyer, BSEE’68, Huntsville, August 27. He was a computer programmer and served in the U.S. Navy in the Vietnam Era. Survivors: his wife, Dorothy, two sons, two step-sons and eight grandchildren.

1970

Thomas D. Williams, BSEE’75, Hot Springs, October 3. He was a manager of engineering and maintenance at Reynolds Package Rolling Mill. He loved spending time with his family and participating in outdoor activities. Survivors: his wife, Glenda, two daughters, two grandsons, one brother and one sister.

Niall O’Shaughnessy, BSCE’78 MSCE’81, Little Rock, Arkansas, 59 passed away September 16 after a battle with brain cancer. He was a six-time All-American while competing in three sports for the Razorbacks. He was inducted in the University Of Arkansas Hall Of Honor in 1994. He is survived by his loving wife, two sons, mother, brothers, and sisters.

1980

Jim Coleman, BSIE’80, Rogers, September 10. He worked for 30 years at for Preformed Line Products in Rogers. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army, earning the rank of SP4 and completing a tour in Vietnam. Survivors: three children and three granddaughters.

Donald James Winnike, BSME’80, Sycamore, Illinois, October 26. He served his country proudly in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He was later employed for many years as a mechanical engineer in research and development. Survivors: his two children and his two grandchildren.

Charles D. Engstrom, BSCE’81, Sherwood, August 26. He was a structural engineer in his cousin’s firm, H. James Engstrom and Associates, Inc. for more 35 years. Survivor: one daughter.

Robert Lee Robinette, BSEE’89, Maumelle, November 18. He was a Master Electrician, Registered Professional Engineer and past President of the Electrical League of Arkansas. During his 26 years he was supervisor of meter services at the Baseline Service Center, he was manager of wholesale business for Entergy Arkansas and also worked as an engineer and an industrial account representative. Survivors: his parents, brother, grandmother, niece and fiancee.

1990

William E. Coyle, MS’91, Hilliard, Ohio, November 24. He worked in manufacturing throughout his career, most recently as a logistics manager for L’Oreal USA. He served on the board of Apics and taught certification classes. Survivors: his wife of 36 years, Deb, his mother, brother and sister.

Damon J. Brewer, Springdale, October 15. Survivors: wife, April, one daughter, his parents, one sister, one brother and many nieces and nephews.

2000

Renaldo Jeremiah Hemphill, MS’01 PHD’07, Pine Bluff, July 5. Survivors: his parents and two siblings.

James Jeffrey Anderson, MSOM’06, Fort Hood, Texas, September 9. In 1992 Anderson enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served as a cannon crewmember in the field artillery. He was separated as an enlisted man from active duty on June 6, 1994 with an appointment to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the field artillery. Within a few months, he was recommissioned as a Major in the Army. Survivors: wife, Farasat, mother, father, daughter, son, grandmother, two sisters and two brothers.

2010

Robert Champ Williams, MSOM’11, Fort Smith, November 6.

Steven Furseth, MSOM’13, Munford, Tennessee, August 10, 2014. Survivors: his wife, Rebecca, one daughter, three sons and one grandchild.

Friends

Robert E. Baker, Springdale, August 2. He was a retired computer technician. He enjoyed working on the computer, reading, watching movies, fishing, cooking and having serious debates on various topics. Survivors: his wife, Tammy and one son.