Mechanical engineering Distinguished Professor K.L. DeVries (Larry) capped off his 55-year career at the University of Utah with a retirement celebration that included the likes of the U’s athletic director, Chris Hill, football coach Kyle Whittingham and U President Emeritus David W. Pershing.
The party was held April 25 in the Rio Tinto Kennecott Mechanical Engineering Building. Also in attendance were U College of Engineering Dean Richard B. Brown and mechanical engineering chair Tim Ameel. Whittingham presented DeVries, who has been a well-known U athletics booster for decades, with a signed football.
“Larry was been a shining example to our young faculty about how to go about your business of being a successful faculty member. It was a pleasure to have the celebration of his career,” Ameel said. “He is certainly deserving. He has excelled in the classroom, in research, and has always provided generously of his time for service activities, both to his professional organizations and to the college and department. I am personally very grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Larry for the last 20 years.”
DeVries earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering in 1959 and a doctorate in physics and mechanical engineering in 1962, both from the University of Utah. He joined the mechanical engineering faculty at the U that same year. Since then, he has served in several different positions including assistant professor, distinguished professor, president of the academic senate, as well as senior associate and acting dean of the college before retiring.
Meanwhile, a new lab in the Merrill Engineering Building was named the K.L. (Larry) DeVries Strength of Materials Laboratory, and a scholarship also will be created in his name.
Click below for a photo gallery of his retirement celebration.
