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BriaN H. roWe
1931–2007
elected in 1983
“For extraordinary contributions to the conception, design, development, and
application of advanced high performance aircraft gas turbines.”
BY M. J. BENZAKEIN
B riaN H. roWe, a successful engineer, business leader, and
former chief executive officer of General Electric Aviation, died
on february 22, 2007, at the age of 75. Brian was an innovator
who developed technology decades before his time. He was a
man who helped define aviation in the 20th century.
Brian rowe’s legacy began as a young man in an
apprenticeship at deHavilland engine company, where he
designed a jet engine component for the deHavilland comet,
one of the world’s first commercial jet aircraft. After graduating
from college and returning to work at deHavilland, Brian soon
left Britain to pursue a career in the flight Propulsion lab at
general electric in evendale, ohio.
after a few years, Brian began his ascension through the
ranks, eventually moving to lynn, Massachusetts, to lead
ge’s efforts on lift fan technology. Brian’s team in lynn
demonstrated the astounding amount of air that could be
pulled through lift fans. He discovered that when turned at 90
degrees these lift machines could become efficient cruise fans.
This newly revealed technology would greatly contribute to a
jet propulsion revolution that led to the introduction of high-
bypass turbofan engines. Brian soon became manager of the
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336 MeMorial TriBUTes
J85 advanced component engineering group with primary
responsibility for compressor design on the ge1 demonstrator
engine. The hot section of the ge1 would later be used on
GE’s TF39—the world’s first high-bypass turbofan engine.
Gerhard Neumann, chief operating officer of GE’s aircraft
engine business, established the commercial engines Project
operation in cincinnati, and made Brian rowe cf6’s project
manager. The cf6 would transform commercial engines,
offering better reliability and more power to american and
european airlines.
The late 1960s saw demand rise for wide-bodied, two-engine
aircraft intended for short- and medium-range destinations.
This demand was met with the a300, an application developed
by the newly formed airbus industrie, a european consortium
created to develop and produce exportable airliners. in an
exciting engine decision, airbus selected ge’s cf6-50 as the
sole power for the a300. With this deal intact, Brian forged
deep relationships with airbus and the french engine maker,
snecma. These relationships dramatically changed the course
of ge’s aviation business. Brian also oversaw the development
of the f101 military engine. later, the core of the f101 engine
would be combined with a front fan developed by snecma to
create a new engine—the cfM56. Brian was key in supporting
his longtime friend, gerhard Neumann, in creating cfM
international, a joint company of ge and snecma.
as the 1980s began, ge aviation had a new business model
and a new goal—to become the industry leader. Under Brian
rowe’s leadership, ge’s portfolio of engine developments
and technological breakthroughs continued to grow. Brian,
now chief executive officer of GE Aviation, helped convince
Boeing to choose the cfM56 engine for the new 737 classic
series, and two years later the cfM56 was selected for the
airbus a320. With these two aircraft, the cfM56 was on its
way to becoming the most successful commercial jet engine
in history. for his work with cfM, Brian was awarded in
1985 the Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur, france’s highest
civilian honor. and good news kept coming. The U.s. air
force selected ge’s new f110, derived from Brian’s original
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BRIAN H. ROWE 337
f101 core design, to power the f-16. Brian introduced the cf6-
80c2, the most popular jet engine for a wide body in its day,
powering Boeing, airbus, and Mcdonnell douglas aircraft.
and in 1987 he helped secure cfM56 and cf6 positions on
airbus’s a340 and a330 aircraft.
as a new millennium was approaching, Brian oversaw
development of the ge90—the world’s largest and most
powerful jet engine and the first to use composite fan blades.
The success of the ge90 family helped solidify Brian’s
reputation as a pillar of aviation technology. in the 21st century,
the ge90 architecture is the basis for the new genx engine for
the Boeing 787—the fastest-selling large commercial engine in
ge’s history. The legacy of Mr. rowe lives on.
after retiring from ge in 1993, Brian rowe continued to stay
on as a leader, maintaining an office in Evendale and working
as a consultant. later, Brian published his memoirs, The Power
to Fly: An Engineer’s Life (aiaa, 2004). Brain rowe was a
fellow of the royal aeronautical society and the american
institute of aeronautics and astronautics and a member of
the National academy of engineering. He was awarded an
honorary degree of doctor in science and technology from the
University of cincinnati and from the University of dayton. in
1995 he was inducted into the ge aviation Propulsion Hall of
fame and in 1996 into the cincinnati Business Hall of fame.
Brian was a 25-year cincinnati resident and civic leader. He
served as a board trustee for the cincinnati Museum center,
the institute of fine arts, the cincinnati symphony orchestra,
and the University of cincinnati foundation, including co-
chair of the University of cincinnati campaign committee.
He chaired the World affairs council of greater cincinnati,
served on the ohio state President’s advisory council, and
served as president of the american institute of aeronautics
and astronautics. He also served on several federal aviation
administration advisory boards. He was a member of several
corporate boards, including 5th/3rd Bank and convergys
Corporation, both in Cincinnati; Stewart & Stevenson Services,
inc., Houston, Texas; atlas air, inc., golden, colorado; and
acterna corporation, Burlington, Massachusetts.
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338 MeMorial TriBUTes
Brian’s principal residence in recent years was Key Largo,
florida. His wife, the former Jill Trapp, survives him. They
have three grown children: daughters linda Hernandez
(Miami, florida) and Penny dinsmore (cincinnati, ohio) and
son david rowe (savannah, ga) as well as six grandchildren,
including Nicholas dinsmore, an engineer at ge aviation in
evendale.
His daughter wrote:
“My Dad was a wonderful, generous dad. He always
had time for his children and his grandchildren. i will
never forget the look of joy he had on his face when
his grandkids were all gathered around him. He was a
gentle man and loved children from infancy to young
adults, maybe because he was such a kid at heart.
The family spent many wonderful summers together
on cape cod. He was an avid sailor and passed on that
love to his family. sports were a big part of my dad’s
life, tennis and golf were his favorites, and he loved to
play with the family. He had yearly golf trips with the
men of the family, and a special father/son trip he went
on each year with other men. The winters were spent in
ocean reef, florida, where he had more opportunities to
go boating and play golf.
My mom and my dad were a team that enjoyed many
years of traveling and relaxing. My father always thought
he had a great job and enjoyed all the people he worked
with. He always said to go for the job you love and try
to do the best job you can. We miss him terribly and are
grateful for the love and guidance he shared during his
lifetime.”
Brian Rowe was an influential person in aviation technology.
His business intelligence, exceptional creativity, and keen
technical insight will leave a lasting mark on the lives of
countless people, companies, and organizations around the
world.
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