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OCR for page 119
ALAN G.
LOOFBOURROW
1912-1990
BY RUPERT L. ATKIN
ALAN G LOOFBOURROW refired vice-president, engineering,
Chrysler Corporation, died on December 1, 1990, at the age of
seventy-eight.
Alan was born in Columbus, Ohio, on June 9, 1912. He earned
a 6.~. in mechanical engineering at Ohio State University in
1934, a master of automotive engineering at the University of
Michigan in 1935, and an M.S. in engineering at Chrysler
Institute of Engineering in 1937.
The Chrysler Corporation has prided itself over the years for
its engineering excellence. Because of his outstanding engineer-
ing capabilities, the Loofbourrow name has been synonymous
with Chrysler during his careerwith the company, which spanned
more than forty years. He has been more than an outstanding
engineer. He also has been one of the industry's foremost
spokesmen for the engineering profession.
~ . . . . . . ~ . . ~
Throughout his career, he either invented, administered, or
provided engineering support that fostered many successful
innovations in Chrysler cars, as well as the engineering develop-
ment in various car models themselves. These included the
generation of compact cars, the 1976 Dodge Aspen and Ply-
mouth Volare models, with their uniquely designed torsion bar
suspension system. He was a prime mover in development
programs resulting in advances that have been introduced into
the automobile, including electronics, advanced suspension
119
OCR for page 120
120
MEMORIAL TRIBUTES
systems, and safety, emissions control, and fuel economy fea-
tures. Examples are the introduction of electronic ignition in
1972 and electronic lean burn in 1976.
Loofbourrow's involvement in all phases of automotive en c!
engine design is reflected in fourteen patents registered in his
name. His inventions in power steering, automatic transmis-
sions, energy-absorbing steering columns, and a gas turbine car
transmission are examples of the significance of his contribu-
tions to automotive engineering.
Alan was known as an articulate spokesman on behalf of the
auto industry, and he earned a reputation for his firm and
knowledgeable positions on controversial technical issues. He
appeared as an expert witness before congressional committees
and other forums to give engineering analyses of complex
emissions and safety issues and alternative power plants. For
example, at a time when many auto engineers and industry
analysts were touting the Wanke} rotary engine as a replacement
within the decade for the conventional engine, he is quoted in
the July 6, 1972, Detroit News as saying the rotary would turn out
to be a "fantasy."
During World War lI Alan was chief engineer of Chrysler's
program in the development of the atomic bomb. He later
served on the U.S. Department of Commerce's Panel on Electri-
cally Powered Vehicles and the Munitions Board's Industry
Advisory Committee on Internal Combustion Engines.
In March 1977 Alan was elected to the National Academy of
Engineering. Other honors and recognition included the fol-
lowing from Ohio State University: in 1960 the Benjamin G.
Lamme Medal "for meritorious achievement in engineering," in
1970 a CentennialAchievementAward, and in 1972 an honorary
doctor of science degree. In 1965 he was given the Gold Knight
Award of the National Management Association.
Alan was a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers, en cl
a member of the Detroit Board of Commerce, the Automotive
Organization Team, the board of the Michigan Opera Theatre,
the Oakland University Library Board, the Ohio State University
Development Fund Board, and the Ohio State University Indus-
OCR for page 121
ALAN G. LOOFBOURROW
121
trial Advisory Committee for the Department of Mechanical
E. .
nglneerlng.
Of Alan's 1934 college graduating class of nearly two hun-
dred, he was the only one to be hired by the auto industry that
year. He never regretted his choice of Chrysler where he made
a lasting career. In his words: "Competing automakers had two
or three times the head-count in engineering, yet we've man-
aged to cover 95 to 98 percent of their market offerings and still
be innovative. That shows we've had a pretty good bunch of
engineers. We have to be selective. We can't test every possibility
or approach. If you can try every alternative leading to a solution
it's notvery difficult to pick the right one. We have not been able
to afford that extravagance."
A deep interest in the operation of mechanisms was one of
Alan's major characteristics. His home workshop was complete
and well-used to develop personal projects and ideas. As an
ardent golfer, he developed and patented a device for improving
the swing. In "retirement," he continued engineering work as a
consultant, but he also became involved in real estate develop-
ment, banking, and the glamorous field of treasure hunting.
Thanks to his scientific perception, he recognized the leading-
edge technology developed by a group of oceanography engi-
neers engaged in searching out sunken treasure, and he helped
back them financially. This program led to a discovery valued at
a billion dollars.
During his later years, he encountered extensive medical
problems that required many operations over a two-year period
and resulted in the loss of both legs. Typical of his determination,
he became involved in development of a van and other devices
that allowed him to operate in many of his fields of interest with
the humor, enthusiasm, and thoroughness for which he will be
remembered by his many friends and associates.
Representative terms from entire chapter:
automotive engineering
