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ROBERT GAITHER Obituary
Resident of
Walnut Creek, California
August 1929-August 2012
Robert was born in Ontario, Canada. He graduated from Curtis High School on Staten Island, and earned both academic and athletic scholarships toward his 1951 undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (Auburn University) before he served 3-1/2 years in the U.S. Navy as an Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) officer on a destroyer, traveling the world. After receiving his Master's and PhD in Mechanical Engineering (specialty in gas diffusion and thermodynamics) from the University of Illinois in 1957 and 1962, respectively, he moved to Florida, where in 1964, he was named Chairman of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida in Gainesville, holding that position for over 28 years. He was also prominent in the Florida Foundation for Future Scientists for many years.
Robert became the 100th president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) in 1982.
He was a talented public speaker, educator, golfer and humorist who was passionate about the history of technology as well as technology itself - a lover of individual freedom and a man of integrity, fairness, and honor who aimed for the high road in tough situations. His exceptional watercolor paintings continue to be cherished by many family and friends over the years.
Robert is survived by his daughters Patricia in California and Vivienne in Colorado, his granddaughter Morgan in Colorado, and his brother Arnold (Karen) on Staten Island. A private memorial is being held at 1 pm on September 7 at Hull's Chapel on 1139 Saranap Avenue in Walnut Creek, California. Donations in his memory may be made to the Francesca B. Gaither Scholarship Fund, established by him and his loving deceased wife, Konstanze, in memory of their third daughter, as follows:
Director of Annual Giving
317 South College Street
Auburn, AL 36849-5153
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT GAITHER
4 Entries
Jack Sparks
September 10, 2019
It is hard to believe it has been seven years since Dr. Gaither passed away. He was my mentor, friend and chair of my PhD committee. He had a remarkable mind and was a good speaker both in the classroom and at technical events. I enrolled in his Compressible Fluid flow course in 1965. There were six students and our classroom was his office. From that class came the early PhD candidates in the ME department. We were studying Boundary Layer Flow and I had an graduate assistant job working with Professor Morrison using an IBM 7090 computer. I performed the flow lines from computer data and Dr. Gaither was impressed so much he started promoting the use of the computer in the ME department. We became good friends and after I started my R&D company he and Professor Ingman later asked me to speak each year at the ME job orientation class.
Great mentors in our life provide the threads to connect our studies and goals with our life's work. I am thankful for Dr. Gaither being such a mentor.
Jack Sparks
September 28, 2012
Bob was on my PhD committee and helped my journey through engineering at Florida. He was an excellent teacher and friend. He will be missed by many.
Amos Holt
September 10, 2012
Bob inspired many in the engineering field. I remember him as a great guy!
Pi Tau Sigma National Honor Society
September 10, 2012
May the love of friends from the Pi Tau Sigma Mechanical Engineering National Honor Society and our own family carry you through your grief.
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