[Iefac.list] James W. Barany - An Industrial Engineering Legacy

[Abhi Deshmukh]

Dear Colleagues,

I am extremely sad to announce that Dr. James W. Barany, Professor 
Emeritus of Industrial Engineering, passed away on Monday, November 8, 
2011 in Lafayette, Indiana. With his passing, the School of Industrial 
Engineering at Purdue University and the broader IE community has lost 
one of its true giants.

A native of South Bend, Indiana, Jim received his bachelor's degree in 
mechanical engineering from the University of Notre Dame while working 
the night shift at the Studebaker Motor Corporation. He entered Purdue's 
industrial engineering graduate program in 1956 with the first class of 
industrial engineering undergraduates. Following completion of his 
master's degree, he was appointed to the faculty as an instructor in 
1958 and promoted to assistant professor after finishing his PhD in 1961.

As a researcher, Dr. Barany gained international recognition for his 
studies of hemiplegic gait using a force platform of his original 
design, fabrication, and validation. His rapid promotion to full 
professor in 1969 was followed by appointment as the associate head of 
Undergraduate Programs for the School of Industrial Engineering in 1970, 
a position he held for many years – even coming back after his first 
retirement to help out the School. Up until his death, Dr. Barany 
maintained an active involvement with the IE department and with student 
organizations on campus. In fact, he seemed to put in as much time after 
his retirement as he did before he retired (the second time).

Over the past six decades, Jim influenced many of us in the community, 
through his involvement in IIE, human factors research, and most 
definitely if you were a Purdue student, though thoughtful advising. Dr. 
Barany's hallmark, and what hundreds of alumni who have passed through 
his office remember the most, was his dedication and passion for 
students, and his subtle sense of humor.

Jim was truly the heart and soul of Purdue IE, and he will be sorely missed.

Abhi Deshmukh


**Information about Dr. Barany's funeral arrangements can be found at 
https://engineering.purdue.edu/IE/News/dr-james-w-barany-funeral-information

-- 
__________________________________________________

Abhijit Deshmukh
James J. Solberg Head and Professor
School of Industrial Engineering
Purdue University
Grissom Hall, 315 N. Grant Street
West Lafayette, IN 47907-2023

Tel:    (765) 496-6007
Fax:    (765) 494-1299
Email:  abhi at purdue.edu
__________________________________________________