Ralph M. Showers, Ph.D., of Havertown, Penn passed away at his home on Sunday, September 8, 2013. The IEEE EMC Society founder was 95.
Born in Plainfield, N.J., he received his undergraduate and doctoral degrees from the University of Pennsylvania before becoming a professor at the Moore School of Electrical Engineering at the University of Pennsylvania. He was named emeritus professor of electrical engineering in 1989.
Showers showed life-long commitment to improving electronic communications by controlling electromagnetic interference through his active roles in research on measurement of noise, weapons systems communications, aerospace microwave technology, space shuttle radio frequency experiments, stabilization of cable radiation characteristics, and cable coupling models.
Showers served as vice president of the U.S. National Committee (USNC) of the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), and as a member of its Executive Committee. He also served as technical advisor for the USNC Technical Advisory Groups (TAGs) for IEC Technical Committee (TC) 1, Terminology, IEC TC 77, Electromagnetic Compatibility (as well as Subcommittee 77A and 77B); and the International Special Committee on Radio Interference (CISPR). He also served as chairman of ANSI-accredited committee C63 on Radio-Electrical Coordination, and supervised 38 master theses and 10 Ph.D. dissertations. Among numerous other accomplishments, Showers worked for NASA, the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and IBM.
A memorial service for Showers will be held in October 2013.
As a tribute to Ralph Showers and his wife Bea, their daughters are establishing an endowed scholarship fund in their names at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Engineering and Applied Science. Contributions to the Ralph M. and Beatrice C. Showers Endowed Scholarship Fund can be made to the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, ATTN: Devon Herrick, 123 Towne Building, 220 S. 33rd Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104. Checks should be made payable to “Penn Engineering.” On the memo line, write: “In memory of Ralph Showers.”
Condolences and remembrances can be made online, to the family via email, or to Bea and her family at 223 Oxford Road, Havertown, PA 19083.
Click here for an interview with Ralph Showers conducted by Frederik Nebeker of the IEEE History Center.
Byron D. Berman says
I met Dr. Showers when he was leading the EMI Control Program for the Trident submarine. Brilliant engineer! Modest in many ways.
My condolenses to his family on their loss.
Byron D. Berman
TomMullineaux says
I had the privilege to cross paths with Dr. Showers several times late in his career. He came across as the quiet but great man in the room. My thoughts are with his family at this time.
David Dixon says
Ralph was a very unique individual with very special talents relating to EMC. A very practical and down to earth person. I first met Ralph in 1968 when fresh out of college I joined the Underwater Sound Laboratory (USL), which, in order, became the Underwater Systems Center (USC)and then the Undersea Systems Command Warfare and finally the Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC), which it is today. Ralph supported the TRIDENT EMC Advisory Board and was tasked by us to help develop EMI models to support both the Trident effort as well as an R & D Exploratory Development program designed to provide EMC Predictive capabilities of all Below-Decks EMI reduction efforts. Prior to this time EMI Fix-It efforts was the methodology used in an after-the-fact manner. The design of new systems and new submarines required a predictive, not reactive, capability. Ralph was both a mentor and a colleague to me and others at our Laboratory. Ralph supported my efforts to become an IEEE Fellow which occurred in 2000. Those of us in the EMC community will miss Ralph who we playfully called “the energizer bunny” since he was SO ACTIVE for SO LONG. Ralph always made sure his government funded projects were not overburdened with travel costs and, perhaps due to his down-to-earth nature, he would always stay at the Red Roof while visiting our Navy Research lab located in New London, CT. I would often pick him up at the Red Roof Inn on my way into work, so he wouldn’t have to charge the U.S. government project cab fare. Sharlene also misses seeing Ralph’s wife Bea, whom we used to visit with during the annual IEEE EMC Symposium period of time. Our condolences to Ralph’s family whom I’m sure will miss him as much as we will.
Azmi Guran says
By chance I read the decease of my unforgettable professor Dr. Showers in the internet. Even after my graduation we kept close friendship. He welcomed me in his home and so did I when he visited me in Switzerland. He was not only a Professor to me, but also an irreplaceable friend. My condolenses to his wife Bea, children and grandchildren. Azmi Guran Ph.D. GrE73.