Industrial engineering ‘academic giant’ passes away

ROBERT D. DRYDEN SERVED THE INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS AND ALPHA PI MU FOR ALMOST 45 YEARS

Bob Dryden, an IIE Fellow and recipient of the Albert G. Holtzman Distinguished Educator Award in 1993, passed away on July 6, 2013 at his Blacksburg home in Virginia.

Dryden began concurrent service within the Institute of Industrial Engineers and Alpha Pi Mu (the Industrial Engineering Honorary Society) in the late 1960’s. His service to IIE included Chairman of the Council of Fellows, Group Vice President, Technical Operations and then as Group Vice President of Education, Research, Publications, and Professional Development. Dryden Chaired the Council of Industrial Engineering Academic Department Heads during 1983-84 and held numerous leadership positions within five IIE Chapters.

Within Alpha Pi Mu, Dryden served as National Executive Director starting in 1976. He also served as President and received the APM David F. Baker Memorial Award in 1987 for “Outstanding Contributions to Industrial Engineering”.

Bob held every academic rank, beginning as Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Arlington in 1968. At the time of his death, he was serving as University Professor at Portland State University. As an academic administrator, Bob began as an IE Department Head in 1977 and rose to become Vice Chancellor of the Oregon University System for the Oregon College of Engineering and Computer Science and Dean of Engineering and Applied Science at Portland State University.

The Executive Council of Alpha Pi Mu has established the Robert D. Dryden Service Scholarship in Bob’s memory. Deductible contributions are being acknowledged by the APM Treasurer at www.alphapimu.com