Texas Tech University

Distinguished Engineer Citations

                 
Distinguished Engineer Photo: Melvin Bobo
Melvin Bobo

Melvin Bobo

Distinguished Engineer

1988

Degree

Mechanical Engineering – 1949

 

Citation

At Time of Nomination in 1988

A native of Fort Worth, Texas, Melvin Bobo graduated from Texas Tech with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1949, joined the General Electric Company, and has been in their employ for the past thirty–eight years. Since 1950, he has been engaged in design and development of aircraft engines. As a design engineer, he has had a significant impact on virtually all of GE’s military aircraft engines, including the J–79, a highly successful, long–service military engine, and the modern–day F–110. In addition, he has had engineering management responsibilities for eleven military and commercial aircraft engines. Among these are the engines that power the C–5A military heavy lift transport and certain models of the McDonnell Douglas DC10, Boeing B–737, B–747, B–767, and Airbus Industries A300 and A310. His most recent engineering management responsibility was for the highly successful GE CF6–80C2. This engine powers a number of advanced models of the B–747, B–767, A300 and A310.

Today, as a chief engineer with GE, Mr. Bobo provides engineering direction through design and problem audits for GE’s Aircraft Engine Business. He is also responsible for the Flight Safety Office as well as FAA Certification functions.

A holder of twenty–three patents in aircraft engine design, Mr. Bobo received the General Electric Gold Medallion Patent Award for his sustained record of innovation and creativity. In 1981, GE presented him with the prestigious Charles P. Steinmetz Award. With the award goes a $5000 grant to the college of the winner’s choice, which in Mr. Bobo’s case was the College of Engineering at Texas Tech.

In addition to his professional contributions, Mr. Bobo is an elder in the Norwood Church of Christ in Norwood, Ohio, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Mid–western Children’s Home in Pleasant Plains, Ohio. In 1972, he received the GE Cincinnati area Community Service Award. During World War II, he served as a medical aidman in the 44th Infantry Division in Europe and was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star.

Mr. Bobo and his wife, the former Beatrice Louise Garrett, have two daughters, Kimberly Anne and Martha Ellen.

It is with a great deal of pride that we name Melvin Bobo a DISTINGUISHED ENGINEER of Texas Tech University.

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