The campus community mourns the passing of Barry Maxwell, 78, who died on Sunday, October 25, 2015. A member of the Class of 1959, Barry received both his bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University. He joined the Bucknell faculty in 1963, became Dean of Engineering in 1979, and in 1986 moved to the role of Vice President for Administration. He retired in 1999 after 36 years of service to Bucknell.
Barry was born January 20, 1937, in New Brunswick, N.J., a son of the late Sherman O. and Edna (Robbins) Maxwell. On June 15, 1957, he married the former Marjorie Savoye, Class of 1959, who survives.
Barry served in the U.S. Army as a Motor Operations Officer and a Nuclear Test Engineer. In 1971, he received his Ph.D in mechanical engineering from the University of New Mexico.
Barry earned numerous awards from various organizations and from Bucknell including the rank of Eagle Scout, the Lindback Award for Distinguished Teaching, the Class of 1956 Lectureship Award for Inspirational Teaching, the SAE Ralph Teetor Educational Award, the ASEE Western Electric Fund Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Bucknell Alumni Association Award for Loyalty to Bucknell.
In honor of Barry, who, throughout his long career, fostered well-planned, collaborative efforts that brought forth the very best from the people involved, the University established the Maxwell Award. The award is given annually to acknowledge and celebrate the exceptional collaborative efforts of cross-functional groups, project teams, and task forces that make outstanding contributions to the Bucknell community.
Barry was a member of many professional organizations including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the American Society for Engineering Education, Tau Beta Pi, Association of Engineering Colleges of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Environmental Research Foundation, Friends of Massey Organization, Massey Collectors Association, Little Big Horn Association, Custer Battlefield Historical and Museum Association, Winchester Arms Collectors Association, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Mid Atlantic Thunderbird Club and the International Thunderbird Club.
He was the director for Citizens’ Electric Company Board, Northern Central Bank Regional Board, Evangelical Spine Fitness Center Board, Evangelical Community Hospital Board, Northern Central Bank Corporate Board, Lewisburg and Union County Chamber of Commerce and the Union County Industrial Development Corporation.
Surviving in addition to his wife are three children: Kimberley Maxwell, of Lewisburg; Bradley Maxwell and his wife Darla, of Goshen, Ohio; and Ryan Maxwell and his wife Lisa, of Lewisburg; and six grandchildren: Caleb, Seth, Janelle, Erin, Emily and Adam.
He was predeceased by a younger brother, Craig Maxwell.
Services will be held privately at the convenience of the family.
The family suggests contributions in Barry’s memory be made to The Barry R. and Marjorie A. Maxwell Scholarship at Bucknell. Please make checks payable to Bucknell University for this scholarship fund and address to Bucknell University, 1 Dent Drive, Lewisburg, PA 17837. Online donations to Bucknell can also be specified for this fund at www.bucknell.edu/script/Gifts.
The family is being assisted by Cronrath-Grenoble Funeral Home, 106 South Second Street, Lewisburg.
On behalf of the entire Bucknell community, I extend our deepest sympathies to Barry’s family, as well as to all who knew him at Bucknell.
John C. Bravman
President
My deepest sympathies to Barry’s family. Barry was VPAA when I arrived in 1995. I am sure he was crazy busy, but he took time to talk with me about my transitions to Bucknell and the ME department. I always enjoyed our chats at our annual department Christmas lunches and other events. He stayed in touch with the department every year. The most important measure of a person’s achievements in life is the number of lives we touch. Barry was a great person indeed. And I am honored to have known him.