Michael McQuade

Brilliant, eccentric, hardworking, handyman, perfectionist, mechanic, chocolate lover, diet coke consumer, pilot, sailor, photographer, national park explorer, teacher, stepfather, and husband. Those are just a few of the words that describe Michael Robert McQuade, age 73, of Banner Elk, NC who passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 24, 2024.Michael was born on October 21, 1950 in Lee County, Iowa, a son of Robert Michael and Doris Gerdes McQuade. After graduating from Fort Madison High School in 1968, Mike happily avoided a "real" job while pursuing academic degrees for the next twelve years: B.S. Electrical Engineering (Cum Laude and Honors), 1972, & M.S. Electrical Engineering (Power), 1973, from the University of Missouri-Columbia; M.S. Electrical Engineering (Digital Systems), 1976, from Georgia Tech; and finally a PhD in Electrical Engineering in 1980 also from Georgia Tech.Mike then transitioned to a highly productive 33-year career at the DuPont Company. From 1980 - 1990, he worked in the Engineering Physics Laboratory (EPL) as a research engineer. Some of Mikes highlights during this period include development of an automated inspection system to insure emulsion integrity of medical X-ray film and designing a linear motor powered, bi-axial simultaneous tenterframe with dynamic adjustability to allow production of high performance films. This system is still used today by most top tier film manufacturers.From 1990 - 1995, Mike was a guest scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory where he designed testbed network switches as part of the Computational Grand Challenges program while also serving as the technology transfer liaison for DuPont in the DOE National Lab System.Mike took on multiple assignments from 1996 - 2013 as he capped his career at DuPont as a senior engineer. Highlights include 2-years as an "expatriate" in Luxembourg helping to stand-up the production of high performance films, supporting the development of the Heidrun Oil Field for Conoco, installing the Advanced Development Lab in the DuPont Photovoltaics Solutions business, Engineering Tiger Team Leader, and helping to upgrade corn production facilities for Pioneer Hybrid Seeds.Mike was much more than "just" a good electrical engineer at DuPont. He gave back to the community and his country in so many ways. An abbreviated list of accomplishments includes:1)Congressional Fellow (2013 - 2014) with the U.S. House of Representatives on behalf of IEEE and AAAS as a member of the Professional Staff of the Science, Space, and Technology Committee.2)Established the Computer Architecture Laboratory, School of Electrical Engineering, Georgia Tech.3)Commissioner, Engineering Accreditation Commission, Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).4)Next Generation Science Standards Writing Team.5)Industrial Advisory Board, Georgia Tech, School of Electrical and Computer Engineering.6)Technical Advisor, US FIRST (U.S. Foundation for Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) - Mike was an advisor on the Miracle Workerz (MOE), Team 365, that won the Chairmans Award at the 2007 FIRST Championship in Atlanta GA and were recognized by President Bush during a visit to the White House.7)Lecturer in the School of Electrical Engineering, Georgia Tech.8)Developed and presented short courses on microcomputer use for the Atlanta Section of IEEE.9)Associate Professor, Adjunct, Drexel University, School of Electrical Engineering.10)Adjunct Lecturer in Engineering, Widener University, School of Electrical Engineering.11)Member of the faculty at the University of New Mexico Center for Graduate Studies, Los Alamos campus.Organizations that Mike belonged to and associated honors include Phi Beta Kappa (Past President and Past Treasurer); Senior Member, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE); IEEE Committee for Engineering Accreditation Activities; Presidents Fellow, Georgia Tech; Registered Professional Engineer; and Sigma Xi.After wrapping up his professional career in 2014, Mike and his wife retired to the mountains of western North Carolina to enjoy their golden years in a house that met Mikes requirement of having a really great view. Mike is survived by his loving wife of 36 years, Johanna Stukshis McQuade, stepson Jason "Jay" Pepin (Katherine Rudell) of Los Alamos, NM, mother Doris McQuade of Stone Mountain, GA, two brothers Robert "Pat" McQuade of Lake Toxaway, NC and Marty (Linda) McQuade of Rochester Hills, MI. He was preceded in death by his father Robert Michael McQuade.Michaels family will receive friends on Monday, July 29, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Grandfather Chapel of Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home and a celebration presentation of his life will begin at 4:00 PM.In lieu of flowers, friends and family are asked to consider planting a tree in Mikes memory through the Arbor Day Foundation: Words of Comfort and Memories may be shared with the McQuade family by visiting our website www.rsfh.netThe care of Michael and his family has been entrusted to Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home of Newland.(828) 733-2121
Gathering of Family and Friends
Monday, July 29, 2024
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home
296 Ash St
Newland NC 28657
US
(828) 733-2121
(828) 733-2401
Celebration of Life
Monday, July 29, 2024
4:00 PM -
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home
296 Ash St
Newland NC 28657
US
(828) 733-2121
(828) 733-2401
Funeral Home
Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home
296 Ash St
Newland NC - 28657
US
(828) 733-2121
(828) 733-2401 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Michael, please visit our Tree Store.