Charles W. McMullen: In Memoriam (1924-2004)

Charles W. McMullen (“Chuck”), Professor Emeritus of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, died peacefully in Ann Arbor, Michigan on January 22, 2004.

Professor McMullen was born in Kinport, Pennsylvania in 1924. During World War II, he served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as First Pilot of a B-24 Liberator Bomber. He later attended the University of Wisconsin, receiving a BSE (EE) in 1949, an MSE (EE) in 1950, and a Ph.D. (EE) in 1952.

Professor McMullen’s professional career included positions at General Electric and Northwestern University. He became Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Michigan in 1960. He was promoted to the rank of full professor in 1963.

At the University of Michigan, Professor McMullen was an active research participant in the Radiation Laboratory and a contributor to the non-classroom education functions of the department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. His effective and responsible participation in coordinating teaching assignments and monitoring the instructional budgetary structure in the department was thoroughly appreciated by the faculty. He was instrumental in computerizing various administrative activities. Through computerizing some of the faculty records and course scheduling the Department was able to improve its operations significantly and ultimately save in administrative costs.

During his years as a faculty member in the Department, he taught numerous courses in the areas of power systems and computer engineering. Professor McMullen received the Eta Kappa Nu Outstanding Teaching Award in 1971. He served as an undergraduate program advisor for many years.

Professor McMullen retired in 1986. After retirement, he pursued his interests in computers and real estate.

He is survived by his wife, Dagny; by his daughter, Cherie Ann McMullen and her husband Michael DeLeeuw of Ann Arbor; and by his son, David of Flagstaff, Arizona. He is also survived by a brother Richard, and a sister Ceil, of Pennsylvania.

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science offers its condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Charles W. McMullen and expresses its gratitude for his years of dedication to his students and his service to the University of Michigan.