Obituaries

Andrew D. Dimarogonas, the Palm Professor of Mechanical Design

Dimarogonas: Came to University in 1986.

Andrew D. Dimarogonas, Ph.D., the William Palm Professor of Mechanical Design, died at his University City home Sunday, April 23, 2000, of cancer. He was 61.

Dimarogonas came to Washington University in 1986 as head of the mechanical design program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Before coming to the University, he was an engineering professor and administrator at the University of Patras in Greece from 1974 to 1982. He also served as associate professor of mechanical engineering from 1972 to 1974 at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa. In addition, Dimarogonas spent 10 years in industry, including five years in the large steam turbine-generator division of General Electric Co. in Schenectady, N.Y.

Dimarogonas, a native of Greece, became a U.S. citizen and was renowned for his expertise in computer-aided design, computational mechanics, vibrations, rotor dynamics, structural reliability and fracture mechanics. He also frequently spoke on cultural topics and the history of engineering and was well known in Greece for organizing an annual international symposium on Greek poetry that has been held each summer in Greece for more than 15 years.

Dimarogonas was a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and of the Society of Design and Process Science. He authored more than 13 books, more than 150 research papers and held six patents. He won numerous awards, including the ASME 1999 Engineer-Historian Award. He was the founding editor-in-chief of the journal Synopsis, the Greek Studies Index. By the end of last semester, Dimarogonas had completed three books for publication: a biography of mechanical engineer Burt Leroy Newkirk, a machine design book and a volume on ancient Greek religion.

"Andy was a devoted faculty member, beloved friend, trusted adviser and dynamic instructor," said David A. Peters, Ph.D., the McDonnell Douglas Professor of Engineering and chair of mechanical engineering. "His research and entrepreneurial activities were always on the cutting edge of technology, and they were always such that they would help the human condition. Several of his research projects and patents were in the areas of biomedical devices to help physicians do a better job of treating human suffering."

Dimarogonas was a popular teacher who taught a vast array of design and engineering management courses.

"One of his best-loved courses was 'The History of Engineering,' in which he dazzled and challenged students with lessons from the past, dating to the first Greek engineers," Peters said. "During the past five years, he continued his fast-paced academic activities while fighting the cancer that finally took him. He will be sorely missed at Washington University."

Dimarogonas received a bachelor's degree in mechanical and electrical engineering in 1961 from Athens National University of Technology in Greece. He received a doctorate in mechanical engineering in 1970 from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, N.Y.

Dimarogonas is survived by his wife, Catherine, sons James and Peter; grandchildren Andrew and Catherine; three brothers, Petros, Vasos and Michalis; and two sisters, Koula Dimarogonas and Panayota Saridis.