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For release September 23, 2005
Fred
Schwartz, Leader in UTSI’s Laser Work, Honored at Luncheon for
28 Years at Institute
Associates of Fred Schwartz of Woodbury during
his 28 years with The University of Tennessee Space Institute
paid tribute to him at a luncheon held Sept. 21 in his honor.
A senior research specialist and lab manager for UTSI’s Center
for Laser Applications (CLA), Schwartz in recent years has
worked in the Laser Materials Processing group developing the
Laser Induced Surface Improvement (LISI) techniques and
requirements for industrial applications. His wife Carolyn,
mother of their two sons, also attended the luncheon.
Dr. Joel W. Muehlhauser, assistant vice president and dean of
research, presiding at the luncheon, described Schwartz as “a
true professional and a very competent individual who has
explained his work on all levels, including Ph.D’s, so that we
all could understand.” He presented a plaque in appreciation of
Schwartz’s service to the Institute.
Dr. John E. Caruthers, associate vice president and chief
operating officer, was out of town but sent a letter to Schwartz
saying, “I want you to know how your skills and efforts over the
years at UTSI have earned you a lasting place in the annals of
this special institution.”
Dr. Dwayne McCay, former UTSI vice president and his wife Dr.
Mary Helen McCay, both now in Florida, sent a video, expressing
best wishes to Schwartz as he leaves the Institute. The McCays
recalled their close association with Schwartz and CLA.
As co-inventor with a CLA team, Schwartz received nine patents
in recent years from the UT Research Corporation and was
recognized for his pivotal role in developing the LISI system
for changing surfaces of metal.
Fellow employees contributed money that Richard Gulley,
information technology administrator at UTSI, said would pay for
placing 100 Gideon Bibles in public places in Schwartz’s name.
Numerous co-workers, past and present, attended and several
spoke briefly of their association with Schwartz. Retired
Professor Dr. Ralph Kimberlin recalled working together to apply
laser technology to a Jet Wing airplane in the late ‘70’s. He
described Schwartz as “a close personal friend and a very
consistent person.”
Jim Goodman, labs manager, praised Schwartz’s leadership
abilities.
Carole Thomas, who helped plan the program, recalled that when
she started working at CLA, “I called Fred ‘Dr. Schwartz’ for
three weeks.” An Air Force veteran, he studied mechanical
engineering for a year at Middle Tennessee State University and
also completed numerous technical courses before joining UTSI in
1977.
Diane Chellstorp said, “You made me feel welcome when I started
working with CLA. You have a bulldozer personality: When
something needs doing, you do it; when something needs saying,
you say it.”
Linda Crosslin a former employee, said that over the years she
found him to be “dependable, organized, and truthful.”
Dr. John Hopkins of the UT Research Foundation in Knoxville, who
earned two degrees at UTSI, praised Schwartz’s “technical
expertise.” He recalled working with him on a Saturn motor on a
task that mechanics said couldn’t be done, “but in 2 ½ years, we
did it.” Chris Layne of Manchester, who as an 18-year-old co-op
student from UT worked with Schwartz, said, “If it were not for
him, I’d never have gotten my master’s degree later in
Electrical Engineering at UTSI.”
Before the Applied Physics Research Group or CLA existed,
Schwartz worked for former Dean Dr. Kenneth Harwell in the Gas
Diagnostics Division.
“I’ve always been a loyal person,” Schwartz said. “UTSI has been
good to me, and I’ve tried to be good to UTSI and worked hard.
I’ve loved working here and love all the people.” He said the
way the Institute has treated him is “unheard of in today’s
corporate world” and urged an “aggressive effort to make sure
that UTSI goes on.”
In a reference to his Christian faith, Schwartz said, “Who we
are is soul and spirit and these are eternal, and this is why I
fear not” (the future). “It has been a real honor to be a part
of your lives.”
#
Fred Schwartz accepts a plaque
from Dr. Joel Muehlhauser at the luncheon.
--UTSI Photo
Richard Gulley, right, congratulates
Fred Schwartz during a luncheon honoring him for his 28
years at UTSI.
--UTSI Photo
Current and former staffers and
students honoring Fred Schwartz included, from left, Dr.
Naren Dahotre, Michael Sharp, Jim Hornkohl, Linda
Crosslin, Carole Thomas, Dr. John Hopkins, Schwartz,
Doug Warnberg, Diane Chellstorp, Chris Layne, Penny
Oliver, and Roger Morris.
--UTSI Photo by Laura Horton.
Writer: Weldon Payne (931) 393-7222
wpayne@utsi.edu
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