ASME President, 1981 - 1982

Robert B. Gaither brings to the Society presidency 25 years of experience as a professor, consultant and university department chairman.  Gaither is currently professor and chairman of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Florida, Gainesville, a position he has held for the past 16 years.

Gaither has served ASME in many capacities since he joined in 1956.  He has served as the vice president, Policy Board, Education (1976-80), as well as a member of Council, CRA and CTA for the same period.  He is a past chairman of the Regional and National Mechanical Engineering Department Heads Committee, and a member of both the Power Division and the Ocean Technology Division of the Society.

In the early 1950’s shortly after graduating from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute in Auburn, Gaither served in the Navy.  As a line officer he gained experience as a marine engineer, explosive ordnance disposal officer, and executive officer.  After four years in the service, Gaither returned to his studies and received his Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering in 1957, and a doctorate in 1962, both from the University of Illinois in Urbana.

Gaither’s first teaching position was as an assistant at the University of Illinois, 1955-1957.  He was then promoted to instructor, and remained in this position for five years.  When he joined the staff of the University of Florida in 1962, Gaither was an associate professor and academic supervisor at the Palm Beach Graduate Center, as well as an associate research professor in the University’s Mechanical Engineering Department.  Two years later, he became chairman of the department, as well as a professor.  Gaither has acted as a consultant for Babcock & Wilcox, GE, the States of Illinois and Florida, and several educational institutions.

In addition to ASME activities, Gaither has been active in ASEE, ABET, Pi Tau Sigma, Tau Beta Pi, and Sigma Xi professional and honorary societies.  He has held national chairmanships in two divisions of ASEE, and has served as a member of the Board of Directors of ABET (1976-79).  Among his list of honors and awards is a Ford Foundation Fellowship (1959-62).

Gaither has published several papers on topics including flame temperature measurement, heat and power production, statistical thermodynamics, and electron gas behavior in plasma flows.  At the University of Florida he introduced an off-campus graduate program in engineering leading to a master’s degree, and initiated a mechanical engineering Ph.D. program.  Also, at the University he is credited with developing the mechanical engineering department into a top-notch educational and research unit, and with developing the faculty, defining its goals, and inspiring a harmonious atmosphere.