MSE Department mourns loss of two distinguished professors: Dr: William Becker and Dr. Ray Buchanan
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.