In Memoriam
On This Page We Remember Our Friends and Colleagues...
Dr. Charlie Ray Brooks –age 77, of Sevierville, died on Tuesday, November 18, 2008. He was a member of Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church where he was active in the local civil rights movement and in other activities. He was retired from the department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee. His specialty was metallurgy. Charlie was the author of numerous books and articles on the study of metals. Several of his books have been translated in Chinese and Japanese. Throughout his career, he directed many undergraduates and graduate students from several different countries. His numerous teaching, research and service awards include three years as the Outstanding Teacher in the Materials Science and Engineering Department, the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching and Distinguished Service Professor, all by the University of Tennessee, as well as the Albert Easton White Teaching Award of the American Society of Metals, International. He was also named a Fellow of the American Society of Metals in 1984. Preceded in death by parents, Charlie and Alix Brooks; father and mother-in-law, Everett and Connie Hale; sister-in-law, Dorthy Hale; and friend, Donald Bogue. Survived by wife of 50 years, Shirley Hale Brooks; son and daughter-in-law, Timothy Brooks and Dustie Collins; son and daughter-in-law, Jeff Brooks and Kathie Shiba; daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer Brooks and John Ellisor; grandchildren, Israel, Isaac, Joshua, Cassandra, Crystal, Connie, Jacob and An-Mei; great-grandchildren, Charlie, Michael, Gwenneth, Chloe and Becca; sister and brother-in-law, JoAnn and Richard Felsing; brother-in-law, Bruce Hale; brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Elogene Hale; many cousins, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. The family wishes to thank Dr. William D. Black and staff of the North Knoxville Dialysis Clinic for their loving care during his illness.
Dr. Raymond A. (Ray) Buchanan – age 62 of Knoxville, died Sunday evening, January 15, 2006 at his home. Ray was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Lenoir City. He was a Professor and Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, the University of Tennessee–Knoxville. He received his BE, MS, and PhD degrees from Vanderbilt University. His first teaching position was at the University of Alabama–Birmingham. He joined the faculty of the University of Tennessee in 1985. He was recipient of numerous awards for his teaching and research. Among these were the UT Chancellor’s Award for Research and Creative Achievement, the College of Engineering’s Brooks Distinguished Professor Award, the Allen and Hoshall Engineering Faculty Award, the Robert M. Condra Professorship, and several Outstanding Teacher Awards. Ray’s expertise was in the areas of corrosion, wear, fatigue, and biomaterials. He had numerous publications in these areas including a textbook co-authored with E. E. Stansbury entitled Fundamentals of Electrochemical Corrosion. Ray was an active member of several professional societies, and he was a fellow of ASM International (formerly American Society for Metals) and a former chairman of the Oak Ridge Chapter of ASM International. He was recently co-director of a major National Science Foundation (NSF) Integrative Graduate Education and Traineeship Program (IGERT) focused on materials lifetime science and engineering, and he was currently a co-director of a NSF International Materials Institute Program entitled Advanced Neutron Scattering Network for Education and Research with a Focus on Mechanical Behavior. As evidenced by all of his awards and accomplishments, Ray loved working with students at both the graduate and undergraduate levels, and he was highly respected by all of the department’s faculty, staff and students. Ray loved nature, was an avid Tennessee Football fan and loved to travel. He was preceded in death by: his son, Michael David Buchanan; father, Raymond B. Buchanan; sister, Sherry Kay Kline. He is survived by: his beloved wife, Billie Miller Buchanan; daughter and son-in-law, Karen and Scott Reeves of Atlanta, GA; adoring granddaughters, Katie Reeves, Abby Reeves, Brianna Smith and Hope Buchanan; mother, Katherine Buchanan of Madison, TN; brother, Ronald B. Buchanan of Nashville; sister, Bunny Buchanan Norris of Madison; several nieces and nephews. The family suggests memorials may be made to the Knoxville Rescue Ministries, 418 North Broadway, Knoxville, TN 37917.
Dr. William Theodore Becker – died peacefully at his home in Knoxville on January 5, 2006. He was born January 24, 1936 in Champaign, Illinois where he attended the academically acclaimed University High School. He received his PhD in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Illinois. He became an authority in the fields of Mechanical Properties and Failure Analysis of metals. Bill taught at the University of Tennessee for thirty-five years, recently retiring from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Bill had a reputation for demanding rigorous academic performance from his students. His professional contributions included extensive service to ASM International (formerly American Society of Metals.) He was co-editor of the ASM Handbook Failure Analysis and Prevention, co-chair of the Failure Analysis Committee, and member of the review board of Practical Failure Analysis. He also served as Faculty Sponsor of the Student Chapter of ASM at the University of Tennessee–Knoxville for several years. His twenty-eight years of teaching for ASM were recognized with awards for distinguished instruction and service. Bill’s expertise was sought by federal and military agencies, insurance companies, and several legal and industrial firms for whom he served as a consultant. He was a member of Alpha Sigma Mu honorary professional fraternity. His keen love of nature led him in earlier years to enjoy fishing, hiking, camping, and mountain climbing. He enjoyed folk music and played guitar, banjo, and dulcimer. His extensive collection of folk recordings was recently donated to the East Tennessee State University Library. He was an avid model railroader. Bill served as an officer in the National Model Railroad Association for several years. He was a driving force in the establishment of the NMRA’s Kalenbach Memorial Library in Chattanooga, TN. Bill received the organization’s President’s Award in 1980 and also became an Honorary Life Member. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol Peternell. He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peg” Schulte Becker; daughter, Meghan Rae Becker and husband Jean Francois Beltra of Carry Le Rouet, France; son, Willem Matthew Becker of Fort Collins, Colorado; step-daughters, Meg Mania of Olympia, Washington, Elizabeth M. Greaves and husband Edmund Greaves and their children, Robin, Mark and Alexander of Brown Deer, Wisconsin. Memorials may be made to the University of Illinois Foundation, University Laboratory High School to benefit financially challenged students; Marilyn Band, 1212 W. Springfield, Urbana, IL 61801.
Dr. Ben Oliver - age 76, died on January 8, 2004 after struggling with cancer for several months. He was retired from the department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Engineering at the University of Tennessee. His specialty was metallurgy. The family has suffered a great loss, but takes comfort that Dad's spirit lives on through his wife Mary, children Valia, Warren, and Daniel, grandchildren, students, and friends. The memorial service will be held at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church on Saturday, January 17th. We will receive friends from 4:00pm - 5:00pm and the service will be held at 5:00pm.