Ernest R. Weidhaas

Ernest R. Weidhaas September 3, 1925 - September 10, 2007 Ernest R. Weidhaas, 82, of State College, died Monday, Sept. 10, 2007. Born Sept. 3, 1925, in New York City, he married Julia Fallis Weidhaas on July 1, 1950. He served in the Army Infantry and Army Ordnance during World War II from 1943 to 1946 as a Technician Third Grade. He graduated from New York University with a baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering in 1950 and a master's degree in 1953. he achieved professional engineering registration in 1957. He was an instructor in engineering mechanics at NYU from 1950 to 1953, an assistant professor and associate professor of engineering graphics at the University of Maine from 1953 to 1959, and an associate professor and professor of engineering graphics at The Pennsylvania State University from 1959 until his retirement with emeritus status in 1985. In 1965 he was named head of the General Engineering Department and assistant dean for Commonwealth Campuses. In addition to the existing associate degree programs such as electrical engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology offered at 17 campuses, Dean Weidhaas introduced innovative new programs, including aerospace engineering technology at Altoona; air pollution control at Berks; architectural engineering technology at Fayette, Shenango Valley, and Worthington Scranton; biomedical engineering technology at New Kensington and Wilkes Barre; highway technology, railway technology, and telecommunications technology at Wilkes-Barre; microcomputer technology at Hazleton, and New Kensington; nuclear engineering technology at Altoona, Hazleton and McKeesport; and solar and thermal technology at Fayette. He also administered chemical engineering technology at Berks and McKeesport and surveying technology at Mont Alto and Wilkes-Barre. All the technology majors combined represented the largest engineering technology offering in the nation. His service to State College included charter member of the Noise Ordinance Appeals Board from 1976 to 1983, Zoning Hearing Board chairman from 1983 to 1986, and charter member of the Historic Resources Commission from 1995 to 1998. He authored numerous textbooks on architectural design and drafting published by McGraw-Hill, Prentice Hall, and Allyn and Bacon. In 1981, he received the prestigious James H. McGraw Award for Engineering Technology Education. Previous Penn State awardees were Dean Harry Hammond, Vice President Kenneth Holderman, and Dean Merritt Williamson. He was a member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist. He is survived by three sons, Richard Robert, of Pennsylvania Furnace, Paul Kenneth, of Leonardville, Kan.; Mark David of Colorado Springs; a daughter, Patricia Beth Stackhouse, of Roanoke, Va., five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. There will be no viewing or funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Church of Christ, Scientist, 617 E. Hamilton Ave., State College, PA 16801. Arrangements are by Koch Funeral Home, State College.