S P R I N G 2 0 2 2 | 7 3 N O T E S A Pioneer in Metal Forming Betzalel Avitzur, 96, a professor emeritus of materials science and engineering (MSE) at Lehigh and a world- renowned pioneer in the field of metal forming, passed away on Jan. 19, 2022. Avitzur joined the Lehigh faculty in 1964. He founded the Institute for Metal Forming (now known as the Loewy Institute) in 1970 and subsequently became its director. At the time, the IMF sought to teach the principles and applications of metal forming technology to graduate and undergraduate students, to provide instruction and equipment for graduate research in metal forming processes, and to assist industry by providing solutions tometal forming problems. Lehigh awarded Avitzur the Loewy Chair in materials forming and processing upon its establishment in 1993. “Professor Betzalel Avitzur was truly a leading authority in the field of metal forming. His work on upper bound theory has been recognized and respected all over the world and made the Institute for Metal Forming and Lehigh famous in the metal deformation community,” said MSE professor and department chair WojciechMisiolek, who worked alongside Avitzur while a visiting scholar at the IMF and later returned to Lehigh to succeed him as Loewy Chair. Avitzur studied mechanical engineering at the Technion- Israel Institute of Technology (graduating with a B.Sc. and Dip. Ing. in 1949) and engaged in government research and development work in Israel prior to his doctoral studies. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor in 1959. He then joined the Scientific Laboratory of FordMotor Company, where his work included the study of themechanical processes of plastic working of metals, such as rolling, wire drawing and extrusion, and spinning. In 1961, he returned to Israel to teach in themechanical engineering department at the Technion. He was elected as a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1982 and was a recipient of its Blackall Machine Tool and Gage Award in 1988. He became an honorary member of the Japan Society for Technology of Plasticity in 1993 and was recognized with theMordicaMemorial Award from the Wire Association International in 1996. Avitzur was an inventor and held patents for the seamless can and for the production of fine wire used in microchips, according to his obituary. He was active in research and consulting in metal forming and gross plastic deformation after retiring from Lehigh in 1995. General Dynamics and a beta tester for AOL emails. Arthur C. Brooks ’59, Lantana, Fla., Oct. 17, 2021. Mr. Brooks was a member of the soccer, swimming and lacrosse teams. He was a Phi Gamma Delta brother and member of the Epitome yearbook staff. He owned and operated the Kinney-Brooks Co., which sold turbines and related equipment to the power industry. His child, Peter Brooks, is a member of the Class of 1992. James G. Early ’59, Mathias, W.Va., Dec. 11, 2021. A Tau Beta Pi member, Mr. Early spent his entire professional career as a metallurgical research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Melvyn C. Hvazda ’59, Souderton, Pa., Aug. 29, 2021. Mr. Hvazda worked as an electrical engineer for the Naval Air Warfare Center. Charles Sosnowsky ’59, Vestal, N.Y., Sept. 23, 2021. Mr. Sosnowsky was a veteran of the U.S. Army and had a 26-year career with IBMas an electrical engineer. 1960s David S. Auld ’60M.S. ’62, Lexington, Mass., Dec. 5, 2021. Dr. Auld was a professor of biological chemistry and pathology at HarvardMedical School and was professor emeritus andmember of the Board of Tutors in biochemical sciences at Harvard University. Terry D. Eckert ’60, Orefield, Pa., Sept. 23, 2021. Mr. Eckert was amember of the basketball teamand a Phi Gamma Delta brother. He worked for Butz Lumber Company. His children, AndrewEckert ’82 and Susan (Eckert) Shea ’84, aremembers of the Lehigh family. John G. Ondria ’60M.S. ’63 Ph.D. ’67, Palmerton, Pa., Sept. 3, 2021. Dr. Ondria was a Lehigh professor of electrical engineering for 18 years. His research focused on applications for microwave andmillimeter-wave radiation. Prior to his undergraduate years, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps. Girard A. Pisauro Jr. ’60, NorthMyrtle Beach, S.C., March 2, 2021. Mr. Pisauro was amember of the golf teamand a Sigma Phi brother. He had his own CPA practice. M.H. Sager ’60, Atlantic City, N.J., Nov. 4, 2021. Dr. Sager was a Sigma AlphaMu brother. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps before going into primary care practice. He also practiced acupuncture. Charles E. Bertolacci ’61, Kirkland, Wash., Oct. 18, 2021. Mr. Bertolacci worked for Johnson&Higgins andMarsh &McLennan as an insurance broker in the aviation department. Alfred F. Burfeind ’61 M.S. ’63, HiltonHead Island, S.C., Nov. 6, 2021. A Phi Gamma Delta brother, Mr. Burfeind was also amember of the soccer and tennis teams. He worked in human resources andmanagement consulting for Eastman Kodak, Arthur Young, FannieMae and GE Capital. Charles D. Fell III ’61, Bath, N.C., Oct. 7, 2021. Mr. Fell spent 25 years with the State of New Jersey, retiring as chief of the bureau of capital programming for the state Department of Transportation. Jay R. Grossman ’61, Rockaway, N.J., Nov. 12, 2021. After a number of engineering and sales positions, Mr. Grossman spent 20 years in the family office supply business before becoming a teacher. E. Bruce Kirkham ’61 M.A. ’63, Phippsburg, Maine, Sept. 25, 2021. Dr. Kirkhamwas a professor of English at Ball State University. He founded the Friends of AlexanderM. Bracken Library and has an annual lecture named in honor REMEMBERING Betzalel Avitzur
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