Robert McFarland Gates (September 7, 1883 – November 7, 1962) was an American

mechanical Mechanical may refer to: Machine * Machine (mechanical), a system of mechanisms that shape the actuator input to achieve a specific application of output forces and movement * Mechanical calculator, a device used to perform the basic operations of ...

and

consulting engineer Engineers, as practitioners of engineering, are professionals who invent, design, analyze, build and test machines, complex systems, structures, gadgets and materials to fulfill functional objectives and requirements while considering the l ...

, and business executive, who served as 63rd president of the

American Society of Mechanical Engineers The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is an American professional association that, in its own words, "promotes the art, science, and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences around the globe" via "continuing ...

in the year 1944–45. Gates was born in O'Brien County, Iowa, son of Charles Frederick, an educator, and Minnie Choate (Richardson) Gates. He obtained his BSc in mechanical engineering form

Purdue University Purdue University is a public land-grant research university in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the flagship campus of the Purdue University system. The university was founded in 1869 after Lafayette businessman John Purdue donated land and money ...

in 1907. Gates started his career as consulting engineer in Cleveland, Ohio in 1909. From 1915 to 1918 he was eastern manager at Thew Shovel Corporation, and engineer at the Lakewood Engineering Co. from 1918 to 1921. From 1923 to 1935 he served as vice-president for the Superheater Co., New York, and from 1933 to 1940 as vice-president for the Combustion Engineering Co. In 1940 he was appointed president and director of the Air Preheater Corp, now Lynchburg Air Preheater Corp. In 1943 Gates was awarded the honorary Dr. in Engineering by the

.John William Leonard, William Frederick Mohr, Herman Warren Knox. ''Who's who in New York City and State,'' Volume 11. 1947. p. 384

Selected publications

* Robert M. Gates, ''From British heritage to American achievement in engineering.'' A Newcomen address. Princeton University Press, 1944.

References

1880s births 1962 deaths American mechanical engineers Purdue University College of Engineering alumni People from O'Brien County, Iowa Presidents of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers {{US-mechanical-engineer-stub