Robert B. Gaither

{{Short description|American Mechanical Engineer}}

Robert B. (Bob) Gaither (August 12, 1929 – August 18, 2012){{cite web|url=https://www.fold3.com/record/461973314-robert-b-gaither|title=Robert B Gaither|publisher=Fold3|access-date=May 20, 2020}} was an American mechanical engineer, professor and chairman of the department of mechanical engineering at the University of Florida College of Engineering,[https://www.eng.ufl.edu/newengineer/news/in-memoriam-bob-gaither/ In memoriam: Bob Gaither], In Memoriam, News. September 21, 2012. Accessed 2017-09-13. and the 100th president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in the year 1981-82."[http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/gainesville/obituary.aspx?pid=159719361 Robert B. Gaither: obituary]" Gainesville Sun Sept. 8-9, 2012

Born in Ontario, Canada, Gaither attended Curtis High School, and obtained his BSc at Auburn University in 1951. After serving in the US Navy as bomb disposal officer on a destroyer for 3.5 years, he obtained his MS in 1957 and his PhD in 1962 in mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois. Gaither served his further career from 1962 to 1992 as professor and chairman of the department of mechanical engineering at University of Florida College of Engineering.Louann Chaudier, Jan W. Churchwell. Who's who in Technology Today: Mechanical, civil and earth science. J. Dick, 1982. p. 32Who's who in Technology Today. Vol. 4. 1984. p. 42American Association of Engineering Societies, Who's who in Engineering, 1991. p. 331 In the year 1981-82 he served as president of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers.

In 1981 the University of Illinois awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award,[https://mechanical.illinois.edu/alumni-friends/mechse-alumni-board/mechse-distinguished-alumni MechSE Distinguished Alumni] at mechanical.illinois.edu. Accessed 2017-09-13. and in 1993 the American Society for Engineering Education awarded him a Centennial Medallion.[https://www.asee.org/member-resources/awards/full-list-of-awards/awards-archive/awards-hall-of-fame Awards Hall of Fame: American Society for Engineering Education], at asee.org, 2017. Accessed 2017-09-13.