Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 

Gerald R. Seemann

Distinguished Engineer

1978

Degree

Mechanical Engineering – 1959

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1978

Advancement, honors, and the promise for even greater successes have all come in rapid succession to Gerald R. Seemann in the 19 years since he graduated from Texas Tech in 1959 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree. Even during his college career, he was regularly winning awards which included All College Recognition in 1956, 1957 and 1958, and a Hughes Tool Company Fellowship in 1958.

In 1959–60 while earning a Master’s Degree at Oklahoma State University, he was a Research Fellow and in 1960 to 1962 while completing his doctorate at Northwestern University, he was a Walter P. Murphy Fellow. He was a Post Doctoral Fellow at the famous von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics in 1963–64 in Belgium, and has since been an invited lecturer at the Institute. He is listed in Who’s Who and American Men and Women of Science and has membership in eight professional societies. He has authored more than 50 technical publications on a wide range of energy, aeronautical and astronautical subjects.

In 1964, following his studies in Belgium, Dr. Seemann joined Litton Systems, Inc., as manager of Reentry Physics; later he became vice president of engineering with Flight Dynamics Research Corporation, and then chief of the Thermo–optics Section in the Thermo–physics Branch of the Aerothermodynamics and Nuclear Effects Department for McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. In 1970 he became president and co–founder of a diverse business corporation called Developmental Sciences, Inc. In this enterprise he has provided creative and energetic engineering and administrative leadership. Developmental Sciences, Inc., after less than a decade, has grown from a small operation to one which measures its annual sales in millions of dollars, and is involved in advanced technology programs related to remotely piloted vehicles, including blimps, aircraft and drones; surface effect vehicles, nuclear facility safety; aerodynamic aspects of transportation systems; solar energy; forest service special equipment; wind tunnel models; vibration fixtures; and a new energy conservation product called the PHANTOM tube, used in fluorescent lighting fixtures.

While he continues to make varied and significant contributions to the engineering profession as a researcher, engineer, program manager. administrator, and entrepreneur, this creative and innovative individual has also found time to involve himself In a wide range of civic ventures including Chamber of Commerce activities, Boy Scout work, and support of California’s efforts to rehabilitate the handicapped.

It is a distinct pleasure to recognize the considerable achievements of Dr. Seemann and to forecast even greater accomplishments as his career matures. Texas Tech is proud to designate Gerald R. Seemann: DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER.

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