Obituary of Ronald L. Mann

Ronald Leonard Mann of Sarasota, Florida passed away peacefully on Friday April 3, 2020 at age 85. Ron was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School where he excelled at math and science. He attended Carnegie Mellon University and Hofstra University before graduating from Syracuse University with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1961. As an undergraduate student, Ron excelled academically, earning membership in Tau Beta Pi, Sigma Xi, and Pi Tau Sigma honor societies. He continued his education at Syracuse University while working full time for General Electric (GE) and was awarded an MS degree in 1968, and a PhD in 1978. Ron spent his professional career at General Electric in Syracuse, New York, first as a drafting technician, followed by engineering positions where he designed radar systems that could withstand nuclear weapon environments. He advanced to the position of Director of Mechanical Analysis and Materials Engineering where he directed studies associated with the design of complex radar and sonar systems using advanced engineering tools. In addition to his professional career, Ron was passionate about engineering education and served as an Adjunct Professor at Syracuse University from 1981 to 1996, and at the University of South Florida from 1996 to 2004 after retiring to Tarpon Springs, FL. He was very active in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers serving as faculty advisor at both institutions. His students received regional and national awards for mechanical engineering design. Ron was a lifetime fan of Syracuse University sports, enjoyed home construction projects, and loved spending time with family and friends at the family cottage on Butterfield Lake in Redwood, N.Y. In later years he took up woodworking and lathe work with a specialty in fabricating custom pens in Greenville, SC. Ron was predeceased by his father, Edwin Alan Mann, Jr; mother, Mildred K. Pehrson; and sister Barbara Thomason. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years Barbara Allen Mann of Sarasota, FL; children: Linda (Robert) Morrow of Lititz, PA, Thomas (Nancy) Mann of Simpsonville, SC, Kenneth (Marcie) Mann of Jamesville, NY, Peter (Sylvia) Mann of Raleigh, NC, and David (Amy Donner) Mann of Sarasota, FL. Ron also took great joy in spending time with his eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, particularly if there was a birthday or ice cream involved. A memorial service in remembrance of Ron will be scheduled in the future. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Ronald Mann to the Alzheimer’s Association (act.alz.org/donate).