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Walter Blake King Jr.

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Johns Hopkins University University of Florida University of Miami California Institute of Technology

Walter King Obituary

Published by Tampa Bay Times on Feb. 7, 2010.

KING, Walter Blake Jr. formerly of Coral Gables, died Jan. 29, at his home in Belleair Bluffs. Mr. King was born in Atlanta, GA on Feb. 4, 1921. He grew up in Coconut Grove, attending local schools. He got his BA from the University of Florida and his MS from the California Institute of Technology. He also attended Johns Hopkins University. Mr. King served in World War II and the Korean War. He was a First Lieutenant. After working at Martin Marietta as a mechanical engineer, Mr. King took a job at the University of Miami in 1958, teaching mechanical engineering. Professor King was noted for his fine teaching ability and his impact on the lives of his students. For part of the time he was at the University, he was Chairman of the Department. He retired in 1986. Mr. King married Terry Johnson of Clearwater and then, later, Marguerite Betts of Coconut Grove. He is survived by his wife, Marguerite King; his daughters Cecilia King and Kinnear Smith; his brother William King; his grandson Blake Smith; his grand-daughter Cheryl Crawford and sons-in-law Joseph Hatin and Wayne Smith. Mr. King, a true gentleman, will be remembered by his family, friends, colleagues and students for his gift with words, his vast knowledge, his keen wit, his warm and generous spirit and his musical gift. "He had the dignity of an unassuming man." A Memorial Service will be held on Feb. 16, 2010, at 1 pm. The service will be held at Church of the Ascension Episcopal Church, 701 Orange Avenue, Clearwater.

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Recent Activity

June 4, 2017

Mike Weiss posted to the memorial.

March 14, 2013

Ms. Dreiske posted to the memorial.

February 28, 2012

Someone posted to the memorial.

5 Entries

Mike Weiss

June 4, 2017

Professor Blake King was someone who made a difference in my life with just one class in 1959. He went out of his way to encourage me to pursue an idea developed while in his class. I am 80 now and writing a life journal. Among the very meaningful people I met in my life, Blake King's name is in bold type. I am grateful to have known him.

Sincerely,

M M "Mike" Weiss, BSME '59

Ms. Dreiske

March 14, 2013

We did not have the privilege of knowing Mr. King. After reading what is written here about his life, he certainly left this world a better place for having lived. Our daughters were given a book for Easter, and the book is inscribed with his full name. It is a children's book called, The Child's World Primer (1917) - an early education reader. We were curious and looked up his name. We are warmed to read such a beautiful account of a life well-lived. We are enjoying the book, and can not help but contemplate the fact that this book was a part of Mr. King's beginning. The good feelings are something we wanted to share. Thank you.

February 28, 2012

Professor King ws the finest teacher I encountered. His teaching style and high expectations made me a better student and better engineer.

S. Dorney
Tulsa, OK

Sheila Anderson

March 7, 2011

Dear Margie - I lost John on the 31st - and I hope he and Blake will be together, watching over both of us. I am so sorry for your loss.

Sheila Anderson

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Bob Adt

February 13, 2010

Dear Margie,

Barbara and I were deeply saddened to hear of Blake’s passing; he was a very special person to both of us. We offer our sincerest condolences.

Little did I know when I first met Professor King that he would become the most influential person in my professional life. We both started at the University of Miami Department of Mechanical Engineering in 1958, Blake as a teacher, I as a student.

Blake was responsible for major positive changes in the Department. He convinced Alan Stenning to become Chairman of the ME Department in 1961. Alan said the primary reason for coming to UM was Blake; he would not have become Chairman were it not for Blake King.

Alan was the only ME faculty member with a doctoral degree when I graduated from UM in 1962. But that changed in a hurry. When I returned as a member of the teaching staff in 1967, there were six faculty with PhDs or ScDs from top-rated universities: Jerry Catz - MIT; Sam Lee - Berkley; George Libertini; Hal Plass; Nejat Veziroglu - University of London; plus one excellent Swiss engineer, Hans Froelich.

Without Blake’s influence I would not have gone to graduate school and returned to the UM ME department where I stayed for 28 years. Thank you, Blake, for my career; I will be forever grateful.

I was exposed to many teachers. A few were outstanding; Blake was one of them. They do not get any better than Blake.

Blake was a good musician as anyone knows who was fortunate enough to be invited to his house for good food and drink after which he sometimes played trumpet and bagpipes. He played from memory, not from sheet music. He was joined at times by other faculty: John Anderson on saxophone, Larry Poteat on trumpet and Jack Kline on drums.

In addition to his musical talent, and being a very witty guy, he made home brew. Blake never believed me, he thought I was being polite, but I was being truthful when I told him I really liked his beer. I really did, even when I had one too many and a next-day hangover.

Speaking of beer, the first time I shared some with Blake was in 1961 at an American Society of Engineers Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. There were four of us; three UM ME student members and Blake, the ASME faculty advisor. We students drove up in my VW bug using a Stuckey’s gasoline discount card loaned to us by the ME Department founding Chairman, Professor Anderson (John Anderson’s father).

One of the courses Blake taught was mechanical engineering design. The Blake King Award was created in his honor to recognize the graduating senior exhibiting the best attributes in engineering design. Another ME Department award is the Alan Stenning Award presented to the graduating senior with the best academic record. Without Blake there would be no Stenning Award, there would not have been the Mechanical Engineering Department I was so proud to be a member of.

I was very sad to see Blake retire in 1986. As the song goes: “Those were the days my friend, I thought they’d never end.” But they did. All good things do. But the memories endure. Blake, you are a very important part of my life, I will never forget you. The memories of you are held close to my heart. I loved you, Blake, as my teacher, colleague, mentor and friend.

Bob Adt