Dr. Albert Wayne Wymore

Dr. Albert Wayne Wymore Cherished husband, father, mentor and friend 2/1/1927 - 2/24/2011 Dr. Albert Wayne Wymore, a founding father of the discipline of systems engineering, died on Thursday at the age of 84. Dr. Wymore was professor emeritus of the University of Arizona, where he established its first computing center in 1957 and the world's first academic department of Systems and Industrial Engineering in 1960. His mission was to address society's challenges through a rigorous, inter-disciplinary approach that could incorporate the needs of all parties. Dr. Wymore developed a model-based methodology to design complex, large-scale, human-machine systems, and in 2003, received the prestigious Pioneer Award of the International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) for his substantial influence as a theoretician, educator, and visionary. Wayne was equally defined by his family life, a life he built with the late Muriel Wymore, his wife of 60 years. Together they raised four children, explored cultures throughout the world, and faced both obstacles and pleasures as a team. At 40, Wayne was paralyzed from the neck down in a bodysurfing accident. With incredible determination he recovered and lived to jog four miles a day for the next 30 years. He created a balanced life, reveled as much in a salty ocean breeze as in the completion of a mathematical proof. Above all, Wayne was a warm, kind, and thoughtful human being. He lived his life with the integrity of a boy scout and the intellectual power and independence of Ralph Waldo Emerson. He was wise beyond his youthful looks, a beloved counselor to students, family, and friends. As a veteran of World War II, he believed education was a path to peace for all people. To all who knew him, he was a consummate gentleman and a distinguished scholar. Wayne will be sorely missed by his children, Farrell, Darcy, Mel and Leslie; his grandchildren, Teisha, Bryan, Ashley, Riley, Kelsie, Rowyn and Quinn; his great-grandchildren, Austin and Elijah and all of their loved ones. The family gives special thanks to Georgiana Wymore for years of friendship and loving care. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the systems engineering honor society, Omega Alpha, 1200 Lakewood, NW, Ste 120, Blacksburg, Virginia 24060. Arrangements by ADAIR FUNERAL HOMES, Dodge Chapel.