Peter GLOCKNER

GLOCKNER, Dr. Peter
B.Sc (Hon.), M.Sc., Ph.D., P. Eng.
January 26, 1929 - November 5, 2016
Dr. Peter Glockner passed away peacefully at Agape Hospice in Calgary, on November 5, 2016. He is survived by Sarah (nee Kraft), his wife of 61 years, his daughter Marilyn (Jack Dale) and his brother John (Rita) of Nelson, B.C., as well as many nieces and nephews.
Born in Mórágy, Hungary to Peter Glockner and Elisabeth Biel, Peter obtained his grade and secondary school education before leaving his native land with his parents and brother in 1946. They immigrated to Canada in 1949, settling in Medicine Hat. After spending a year and a half as a construction labourer, playing with local bands and learning English, he returned to school for a year, graduating in June 1951, with distinction and setting a new provincial record high average grade in the departmental examinations. This earned him a scholarship at McGill where he earned a B. Sc. (Honours) in Civil Engineering. A fellowship took him to MIT for his M.Sc. and the Ford Foundation provided support for his Ph. D. at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
His academic career began in February, 1958 at the University of Alberta as Assistant Professor of Applied Mechanics in Civil Engineering. At his request, he was transferred to the new Calgary campus in September 1960, where he became a founding member of the Faulty of Engineering, spending the remainder of his career in teaching and research. He became Associate and Full professor of Civil Engineering in 1962 and 1967 respectively, served as Acting Head of Civil Engineering and was invited to become Head of Mechanical Engineering in 1976, holding that position for 11 years. From 1976 until his retirement in 1994, he was professor in both Departments. He wrote A Place of Ingenuity, a book on the Faculty of Engineering's history. His foundational work in two departments and the faculty were recognized by appointing him Professor Emeritus of the Faculty of Engineering, a first-ever distinction.
Dr. Glockner's fundamental and applied studies on solid mechanics topics such as the behaviour of shells and inflatables, creeping stability and constitutive modeling of nonlinear time-dependent materials including ice, resulted in over 300 publications and invitations for lectures and keynote addresses around the globe. His contributions were also recognized by numerous awards, prizes and distinctions including EIC's Gzowski Gold Medal, ASCE's Mosseiff Medal and Prize and the 1993 Canadian Congress of Applied Mechanics, CANCAM, Medal and Award. In 1994, a special international conference, "A World of Shells," was organized in his honour at the Banff Centre.
Professor Glockner served on boards of directors of national and international learned societies and professional organizations and has been elected Fellow of the American Academy of Mechanics by whom he was selected President Elect for 1994-95, The American Society of Civil Engineers, The Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering, and the Engineering Institute of Canada.
With his wife Sarah, he established the Peter Glockner Engineering Scholarship for Excellence, awarded to a third-year student enrolled full-time in Civil or Mechanical Engineering.
Peter Glockner found relaxation in his lifelong love of playing the accordion, in swimming and playing tennis, and in writing and editing the Hungarian Ethnic Lexicon, an English translation of a Hungarian Encyclopedia.
Family and friends who wish to pay their respects may do so at the PATTISON FUNERAL HOME (Medicine Hat) on Friday evening from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. The funeral service will be held in St. Peter Lutheran Church (758 8th Street SE, Medicine Hat) on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. with Rev. Pastor Shane Hein officiating. Interment will follow in the Hillside Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to your local Parkinson Alberta Society. To e-mail an expression of sympathy, please direct it to: pattfh@telusplanet.net subject heading: Peter Glockner, or you may visit www.pattisonfuneralhome.com and leave a message of condolence.