Edward Abraham Fletcher

July 30, 1924 (age 93)

Detroit, Michigan, United States

Head propellant chemistry and flame mechanics sections, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, 1952-1959; associate professor, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1959-1960; He was invited to the University of Minnesota Mechanical Engineering Department in 1960, and remained there until becoming Professor Emeritus in 2000. His career evolved from being a rocket scientist, to work in combustion and thermodynamics. His interest in making a contribution of greater benefit to society led him to his most rewarding work, as a solar scientist. In 1965 and untill 1986 he was a director graduate studies in the University of Minnesota. In 1964 Edward was a visiting scientist at Byellorussian Academy Sciences. And in 1968 - visiting Fulbright professor of University Poitiers. Since 1989 he was a senior Fullbright lecturer at Weizmann Institute, Israel. In 1991-1997 - visiting scientist, professor of Weizmann institute. In 1977-1978 Edward was a co-Chairman of Commission on fire resistant hydraulicfluids National Research Council-National Academy Sciences National Materials Advisory Board. In 1960 - 1961 - participant in the advisory group for aero research and development for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Edward Abraham Fletcher

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engineering educator

Background

Fletcher, Edward Abraham was born on July 30, 1924 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. Son of Morris and Lillian (Protes) Fletcher.

Education

Edward Abraham Fletcher earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry in 1948 at Wayne State University, PhD in chemistry under H.C.Brown at Purdue in 1952, and from there went to NACA (now NASA) in Cleveland, Ohio, studying solid rocket fuels and propulsion.

Career

Head propellant chemistry and flame mechanics sections, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, 1952-1959;

associate professor, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, 1959-1960;

He was invited to the University of Minnesota Mechanical Engineering Department in 1960, and remained there until becoming Professor Emeritus in 2000. His career evolved from being a rocket scientist, to work in combustion and thermodynamics. His interest in making a contribution of greater benefit to society led him to his most rewarding work, as a solar scientist.

In 1965 and untill 1986 he was a director graduate studies in the University of Minnesota.

In 1964 Edward was a visiting scientist at Byellorussian Academy Sciences. And in 1968 - visiting Fulbright professor of University Poitiers.

Since 1989 he was a senior Fullbright lecturer at Weizmann Institute, Israel. In 1991-1997 - visiting scientist, professor of Weizmann institute.

In 1977-1978 Edward was a co-Chairman of Commission on fire resistant hydraulicfluids National Research Council-National Academy Sciences National Materials Advisory Board.

In 1960 - 1961 - participant in the advisory group for aero research and development for North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

Achievements

Recipient National Aeronautics and Space Administration Technology Development award, 1961;

Outstanding Ski Patrolman of Western Region award National Ski Patrol, 1969-1970.

Membership

Board of directors Minnesota Committee for Technion, New Friends of Chamber Music. Served with United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1946. Member Combustion Institute (board advisers, secretary Central States section 1967-1978, vice chairman 1978-1979, chairman 1979-1982), American Chemical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, International Solar Energy Society, American Solar Energy Society, Sigma Xi, Tau Beta Pi, PiTau Sigma, Phi Lambda Upsilon.

Personality

He was always bringing his imagination to the application of his vast and precise understanding of several fields of science, he is credited with developing an entirely new field. His students and others call him the Father of Solar Thermochemistry.

In addition to being a very competitive squash player and biking to work, he was an avid skier, and served as a National Ski Patrol at Buck Hill for many years. He and Ros enjoyed a University square dancing group for many years.

He taught himself several languages well enough to communicate during sabbaticals in Israel at the Technion, and France at the University of Poitiers. Despite his time in France he was basically a meat-and-potatoes guy, and his favorite vegetable was chocolate.

He passed on to his daughters to various degrees a great love of music including classical music, opera, 50’s pop and jazz; skills and love of traveling; appreciation for learning new languages; firm grounding in doing the right thing for its own sake, social justice, and presumption of determining right action by the highest ethical criteria.

Edward adored his grandchildren, and they each have special loving memories of time spent with him: from first football games and skiing in the mountains, to exploring the science museum, horsing around.

Connections

Married Roslyn Silber, June 15, 1948. Had 3 children– Judith Ellen, Deborah Gail, Carolyn Ruth.

Father:: Morris Fletcher
Mother:: Lillian (Protes) Fletcher
Spouse:: Roslyn Silber
child:: Judith Ellen Fletcher
child:: Carolyn Ruth Fletcher
child:: Deborah Gail Fletcher

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