Background
Cisler, Walker Lee was born on October 8, 1897 in Marietta, Ohio, United States. Son of Louis H. and Sara S. (Walker) Cisler.
Electric power industry executive
Cisler, Walker Lee was born on October 8, 1897 in Marietta, Ohio, United States. Son of Louis H. and Sara S. (Walker) Cisler.
Master of Engineering, Cornell University, 1922. Engineering D., University Michigan. Engineering D., Stevens Institute of Technology.
Engineering D., South Dakota School Mines and Technology. LLd, University Detroit. LLd, Wayne State University.
LLd, Marietta College. LLd, University Akron. LLd, Northern Michigan University.
Doctor of Science, University Toledo. Doctor of Science, Indiana Technology College. Doctor of Science, Michigan Technological Institute.
Cisler received a degree in mechanical engineering from Cornell University in 1922. He was elected to the Sphinx Head Society during his senior year. He held a variety of positions at the Public Service Electric and Gas Company in New Jersey, before being named in 1941 as chief of the Equipment Production Branch at the United States. War Production Board.
In mid-1943 he became chief engineer of power plants for Detroit Edison, but was granted leave of absence to become chief of public utilities for Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force with responsibility for rebuilding electrical power plants in Europe.
In this role, he served in Sicily, visited Russia, and in August 1944 entered Paris with General Charles de Gaulle. By 1945 the French electric system was generating more power than it had before the war.
After the war, Cisler returned to Detroit Edison as chief engineer, where he subsequently became executive vice president (1948), president (1951), chief executive officer (1954), and chairman of the board (1964). In 1967, Cisler became interested in supporting Northern Michigan University’s business programs.
As a result of this, the University renamed the school of business the "Walker L. Cisler College of Business".
The name remains today. He was active in the early development of nuclear power, serving as executive secretary to the Atomic Energy Commission"s Industrial Advisory Group in 1947-1948, and first president of the Atomic Industrial Forum. In 1991 the American Nuclear Society established a prize in honor of his contributions to development of fast breeder reactors.
Consultant to Agency for International Development. President Fund for Peaceful Atomic Development, Thomas Alva Edison Foundation. Member lay advisory board University Detroit.
Trustee Cornell, Cranbrook Institute of Science, committee economic development Marietta College. Board directors Council Finance Aid to Education, Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc., Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory. Chairman Mayor's committee for economic growth, Detroit.
Member business council Department of Commerce. Colonel Army of the United States, chief public utilities section Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Forces , later chief public utilities section Office Military Government for Germany, 1943-1945. Fellow Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (United States recipient Edison medal 1965), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (president 1960).
Member Association Edison Illuminating Companies (executive board), Reserve Officers Association, American Ordnance Association, Society of America Military Engineers, Edison Electrical Institute (president 1964, board directors), Engineers Joint Council (president), Newcomen Society N.A., Detroit Economic Club (chairman), Country Club, Athletic Club (Detroit), Metropolitan (Washington), Engineers Club, University Club, Fifth Avenue Club, Cornell Club, Brook Club (New York City).
Married Gertrude Demuth Rippe, July 28, 1939. Adopted children: Richard Rippe, Jane Rippe (Mistress Albert J. Eckhardt, Junior).