Department Head and Chancellor’s Professor Veerle Keppens with Carl McHargue and Roberto Benson in 2018 during McHargue’s induction into MSE’s Hall of Fame
In Memoriam: Professors Emeriti Benson and McHargue
The department suffered a great loss with the passing of two of its former faculty members, Roberto Benson and Carl McHargue, earlier this year.
Benson passed award on March 30 at the age of 81. Benson retired as professor emeritus in 2018 after 32 years of loyal service and dedication to the department. He held a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Panama, a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Lewis University, and a PhD in physical chemistry from Florida State University. After graduation, he worked at the University of Utah for eight years and then became director of research at Vascular International Corporation in Salt Lake City, where he contributed research in the development of the artificial heart. During his tenure in MSE he served as associate department head for 12 years and department head for one. Benson loved teaching and enjoyed his research in biomedical materials. His care and support for his students went beyond the classroom, often providing food and housing to those in need. Thirty-two students received graduate degrees under his advising. Benson was always happy to give back to the students and campus. In addition to teaching, he was active in the educational advancement program, engineering diversity program, and the UT Commission for Blacks. In his honor, the department created the Roberto S. Benson Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, which is presented to an undergraduate student each spring during the department’s awards banquet.
McHargue passed away on February 27 at the age of 96. He retired from UT in 2013 as a professor emeritus. He was a three-time graduate of the University of Kentucky and in 1953 earned the first doctorate in metallurgical engineering awarded by UK’s College of Engineering. Shortly after graduating, McHargue accepted a position as a metallurgist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and in 1954 was appointed a joint faculty member in MSE. After retiring from ORNL in 1990 he continued as professor and served as director of the Center for Materials Processing. In 1978 he was named a fellow of the Metallurgical Society, the society’s highest honor. He received numerous awards and recognitions during his lifetime, including being named to the Tickle College of Engineering’s Hall of Distinction in 1995 and MSE’s Hall of Fame in 2018.
Benson and McHargue each left a lasting imprint on the department and will be missed by all who knew them.