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Biography He was born in Los Angeles September 2, 1908 and
attended the local city
schools through high school. He graduated from the University of Southern
California Magna Cum Laude with a bachelor's degree in electrical
engineering in 1931. While at the university he was inducted into the
honorary fraternities, Eta Kappa Nu (electrical), Tau Beta Pi (all
engineering), and Phi Kappa Phi (all university).
He received a teaching fellowship at what was then Iowa State College at
Ames, Iowa, where he received a Master's Degree in electrical
engineering and was inducted into the graduate research fraternity, Sigma Xi.
He then returned to Los Angeles where he worked as a junior electrical
engineer for three years for the local power company. During that time
he met and married Andrea Brannan. They had three daughters, Barbara,
Rhoda, and Catherine. In addition they now have five grandchildren and
one great granddaughter.
He received a call to join the Federal Commission in Washington D.C.
where he moved with his wife. After three years he was offered a
position with the U.S. Naval Department as electrical engineer in charge of
submarine construction at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, Connecticut.
This position he held during the WW II years.
In 1943 he joined the electrical faculty at the University of Southern
California (USC) where he taught until 1958 in charge of the graduate
power program. While teaching at USC he did research in magnetic
amplifiers at Hughes Aircraft Co. He also served as expert witness in a
number of industrial accident law cases.
It was planned to start an engineering program at Long Beach State College (BBSC) in
1958. Accordingly, Robert Vivian who was dean of engineering at USC was
about to retire and was retained to start the engineering department at
Long Beach State College. Dean Vivian recruited him to start electrical
engineering at LBSC. This area of engineering later became the Department
of Electrical Engineering.
Shortly after electrical engineering became a department it was
accredited by the Engineering Council for Professional Development (ECPE).
He served on a number of all - college committees such as the Scholastic
Standards and Admissions, Budget, Scholarship and Grants, and Sabatical
Leave where he served as chairman. He was also vice-chairman of the
university senate. He served on a special committee to select a new
president of the university.
He served as chairman of the Electrical Engineering Department until
1970 when he became Associate Dean of the School of Engineering as it was
designated by then. He retired at the age of 65 in 1973 as Professor
Emeritus. He and his wife then moved to Montecito, adjacent to Santa
Barbara where they are currently living and active. He is volunteering
at the College Hospital two mornings a week. He is a senior member of
the American Society of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.
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