About Thomas R. Faucett

In memory of Thomas R. Faucett

BSME 1942, University of Missouri
MSME 1949, Purdue University
PhDME 1952, Purdue University
OGS Member

Tom spent eight years as an associate professor at the University of Rochester before joining the MSM faculty in 1960. Two years later, he moved to the State University of Iowa as a professor and department head. In 1965 he returned to Rolla as professor and chairman of mechanical and aerospace engineering. In 1978 he returned to full-time teaching before retiring as professor emeritus in 1985. During his twenty years at UMR, the department changed dramatically in its use of computerization as an instruction method. In 1982 the NSF gave Tom $250,000 to develop the capabilities of the CAD/CAM system. This enabled UMR to become a national leader in using CAD/CAM software and robotics in undergraduate education.

Tom was a registered professional engineer in Missouri, Indiana, and New York, NY. He was a professional mechanical engineer and engineering educator. Active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, he was an officer and lecturer, and past chairman of Region VII department heads committee. He was a past chairman of the American Society of Engineering Educators, Upper New York-Ontario section. For three years, he was the chairman of the engineering section of the Missouri Academy of Science. In addition, he was a member of the following professional organizations: Phi Kappa Phi, Pi Tau Sigma, Pi Mu Epsilon, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi. Tom’s widow, Ruth, remains active in OGS and campus activities.