STANLEY ABKOWITZ

1927 - 2017

ABKOWITZ, Stanley Stanley Abkowitz, Father of Titanium, Leaves a Legacy Stanley "Stan" Abkowitz, a Titanium pioneer, was one of metallurgy's giants. Spanning the 20th and 21st centuries, Stan gave the world solutions that helped conquer strength, corrosion and weight issues in the aerospace, biomechanical, and energy industries, among others. Stan's inventions included advanced materials for energy, defense, medical, and aerospace applications such as missile and aircraft components, as well as composite materials for medical implants. A 1948 MIT graduate with a degree in chemical engineering, Stan was an ROTC student. "As a freshman in uniform, he recalled, "walking down the Infinite Corridor, and in the opposite direction was MIT president, Karl T. Compton. I actually shook as I saw him approaching and saluted as I passed. I was so nervous because of the awe and respect I felt for the president of our great school." Stan proudly wore his MIT class ring, the gold smooth after 68 years. "All metals are good metals, depending on their purpose," he would say. He would know. He was a pioneer in the development of titanium metals and alloys and holds 24 U.S. and international patents in materials development and manufacturing technology. At the U.S. Army's Watertown Arsenal Laboratory in 1951, he invented the most commercially successful titanium alloy, Ti-6Al-4V, still the most widely used titanium alloy today. It was the large-scale production of this alloy used for the U2 high-¬altitude reconnaissance plane, starting in the '50s, that jump-started the titanium industry. The author of Titanium in Industry in 1955, the first book published on titanium, Stan also wrote a monograph in 1999, The Emergence of the Titanium Industry, and presented numerous papers throughout his career. Stan was passionate about his contribution to the industry, and remarkably worked full-time beyond his 90th birthday. His contemporaries and admirers respectfully call him the Pioneer in Titanium. Stan would rather be called the Father of Titanium. In 1972, Stan founded Dynamet Technology, Inc., focused on the development of titanium powder metallurgy. Decades later, the company merged with RTI International Metals (later became Alcoa/Arconic Titanium and Engineered Products) where Stan continued contributing as Senior Technical Fellow. "Retirement is not for me. Work is my golf course," he would say. He thought of new business possibilities while shaving, he said. Stan was the recipient of many industry recognitions. He served as Chairman of ASM International, Boston Chapter; The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society; and on Materials Technology Advisory Committee for the U.S. Department of Commerce. He received a Department of Army commendation for development of the Ti-6Al-4V alloy, was elected Fellow of ASM International in 1979, and was the recipient of the 1993 William Hunt Eisenman Award from ASM International "for extraordinary achievements in the titanium powder metallurgy field and for demonstrating a unique blend of engineering talent and entrepreneurial ability that has resulted in significant benefits to the aerospace industry." Additional recognitions include the Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy Award by the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF) and the International Titanium Association(ITA) Inaugural Titanium Achievement Award for his major contributions to the industry, and ASM International's Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, Dynamet Technology, Inc. received the International Titanium Association's Titanium Applications Development Award for its advancement of titanium powder for aerospace applications. Stan was honored by the Boston Patent Law Association (BPLA) at the 2015 Invented Here! event for his accomplishments as an innovator and recipient of patents in each of the past seven decades. And, in 2016, the BPLA committee nominated him to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Stan's team at Dynamet and his colleagues at ASM International, ITA, MPIF (and so many others) were like his extended family. Sentiments echoed throughout the industry express the utmost respect for the distinguished life of the innovator and leader. His passion and relentless drive profoundly impacted and inspired many. As Stan knew well, blends of materials have valuable synergy. He often found creative ways to blend his passions in his efforts to give back to community. His active membership at Lexington's Temple Emunah, of 55 years was extremely important to him. As Rabbi Lerner expressed in his eulogy, "Stan's passion for precious metals, precious programs, and his precious family knew no bounds." By blending a passion for education and his devotion to Israel, Stan established the Abkowitz Israel & Camp Program Fund that helps to send students to Israel or Jewish camps for the summer. In addition, his gift of a Titanium time capsule to Temple Emunah contains a personal letter to him from Rabbi Rosenblum, dating back to 1966, in appreciation of his family for leading a Passover Seder at the Lexington Methodist Church. Stan also gifted his signature Titanium time capsules to the town he called home for over 50 years, in honor of Lexington's 300th birthday in 2013. Filled with archives from community documents to contemporary culture, these capsules will be unearthed in Lexington's Emery Park in 2063 for the town's 350th birthday. An avid Boston Red Sox fan, Stan likened successful entrepreneurship to baseball. "You need creativity to get to first base, passion to get to second; you must be willing to take risks to get to third and have a grand vision to get you home." Stanley "Stan" Abkowitz, age 90, died peacefully on October 29, 2017, surrounded by his loving family. Born March 13, 1927 in Revere. Beloved husband of Lorraine (Atkins) Abkowitz. Loving father of Miles Abkowitz and his wife Donna O'Leary-Abkowitz of Burlington, Susan Abkowitz and her wife Donna Rouleau of Burlington, and Robin Feiner and her husband Adam Feiner of Carlisle. Proud grandfather of Sarah Abkowitz; and Andrew, Jessica, and Jason Feiner. Predeceased by his beloved parents Max Abkowitz and Annie (Weiss) Abkowitz. Also predeceased by beloved sister Mildred; and brothers Herbert, Paul, and Martin Abkowitz. Loved and respected by his sister-in-law Davette Abkowitz, and many nieces and nephews, and extended family and friends. A service was held at Temple Emunah in Lexington and burial was at Sharon Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Abkowitz Israel and Camp Fund, Temple Emunah, 9 Piper Road, Lexington, MA 02421 or to a charity of your choice. Stan will be greatly missed by his family, colleagues, and community, but his impact and legacy will endure.