Pradip N. Sheth

Pradip N. Sheth, PhD.

Pradip N. Sheth, PhD., passed away on Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at the University of Virginia Hospital, after suffer-ing a stroke on December 21, 2008.

He was born in Baroda/ Vado-dara, India on November 11, 1944, the son of the late Nat-verlal and Narmada Sheth. He earned his Bachelor of Engin-eering Degree in Mechanical Engineering at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, India in 1965, and earned his Master of Science in 1968, and Doctorate in 1972, in Mechan-ical Engineering at the Univ-ersity of Wisconsin-Madison.

Pradip is known nationally and internationally for his work in the design and ana-lysis of mechanisms and machines. As a graduate student, he developed the Integrated Mechanisms Pro-gram system for computer aided design and analysis of multibody mechanical syst-ems in three dimensions. Over 100 industrial and educational organizations worldwide util-ized this system which was the first of its kind. Along with John Uicker of Madison, Wisconsin, he wrote a book on multi-body mechanical sys-tems that will surely be the seminal text in this area.

From 1972 until 1974, Pradip was a Post Doctoral Fellow at the University of Michigan and developed a vehicle analysis program on a research project for Ford Motor company. From 1974 until 1985, he was Mana-ger of Engineering Develop-ment at Allis-Chalmers Corpo-ration. His group was devoted to research and development of mechanical products and technologies utilizing compu-ter aided design, manufactu-ring, and engineering. He led the implementation of CAD/ CAM technology throughout Allis-Chalmers, and establi-shed a strong Computer Integrated Manufacturing group.

Pradip was faculty member in the Department of Mecha-nical and Aerospace Engineer-ing at the University of Virgi-nia since 1985. He came to the University of Virginia to help establish a Master's degree program in Manufacturing Systems Engineering. This program was offered locally to graduate students at the University of Virginia and through the educational television system for real-time, interactive, distance learning. The program enjoyed significant success, producing hundreds of successful Mast-er of Engineering graduates.

Pradip worked with industry throughout his academic career. He served as regional coordinator for the Manufa-cturing Action Program of the Virginia Center for Innovative Technology. During his tenure at the Center, he worked with seventy-five Virginia manufa-cturing companies. He also helped establish a Manufac-turing Extension Program in Martinsville, Virginia. The Philpott Manufacturing Center is now a statewide resource partially funded by the Nati-onal Institute of Standards and Technology. Pradip served on the Technology Board of Directors of the Philpott Manufacturing Center for its first two years.

Pradip collaborated with colleagues from many depart-ments and schools. He was an active participant in the Univ-ersity of Virginia's Rotating Machinery and Controls Consortium and the Kluge Rehabilitation Center. He designed consumer products and specialized systems that are regularly used in applica-tions that vary from lawn mowers and tractors to pole climbing robots, and an array of assistive devices for physically impaired individ-uals. He held several patents.

Pradip was an innovative and dedicated teacher. When he first came to the University of Virginia, he developed new graduate courses in Manufac-turing Systems and Advanced Manufacturing Technologies. Recently, he introduced an exciting new course on Mecha-tronics in which fourth-year students create complex mechanical systems involving electronic and computer technology. He developed the course content, and acquired state-of-the-art equipment and workstations for the benefit of the students. This course was featured in a Day To Day story on National Public Radio that included interviews with Pradip and his students, as well as local media.

He was a member of the American Society of Mechan-ical Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Educa-tion, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and the Sigma Xi and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honor societies.

Pradip enjoyed vacationing in Door County, Wisconsin, with family. In his youth, he was a state champion table tennis player. He served on the Board of Directors of the Y.M.C.A. in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was an annual participant in Al's Run for many years. He thoroughly enjoyed animals, movies, and comedy. He was especially proud that his students asked him to serve as Grand Marshall for Final Exercises last May.

Pradip was loved as a person and profoundly respected for his technical skills and know-ledge. He was a man of great integrity and honesty, and a colleague everyone could count on. He will be remem-bered by his many students as a caring teacher and a comp-assionate person; by his colle-agues as a friend, superb engi-neer, and dedicated teacher, and by his family as a loving husband and devoted father.

He is survived by his wife, Diane C. Sheth; and daughter, Kelly L. Hering and her hus-band, Michael; and a brother, Tarun Sheth and his family. Pradip is greatly missed by us all.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.