ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280026
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG
TYPE: NEWS OBIT
Dan H. Pletta, a retired Virginia Tech professor known for his longtime service to the university, died Monday. He was 92.
Pletta, one of the university's five original distinguished professors, came to Tech in 1932 as an assistant professor in the engineering science and mechanics department, eventually becoming head of that department from 1948 to 1970.
He retired from teaching in 1972, but maintained an office at the department and continued to conduct research and advise students and faculty. Ed Henneke, current head of the department, recalled that Pletta came to work every day for more than 20 years after his retirement.
"His advice, encouragement, good humor, love of Virginia Tech and the engineering profession has served as an inspiration and model for Virginia Tech faculty and staff for over 64 years," Henneke said. "He will be sorely missed."
Virginia Tech President Paul E. Torgersen, a former engineering dean, called Pletta "a great human being, one who always gave me good advice."
Pletta didn't just earn praise from fellow faculty members. He also received several awards, including being named one of the five outstanding engineering educators of the 20th century by the American Society for Engineering Education in 1992 and the William H. Ruffner Medal for notable and distinguished service to the university in 1988.
His name also graces a professorship at Tech and a medal given to the state's engineering educator of the year by the Virginia Engineering Awards Committee, which represents five societies in the field.
"Dan Pletta was a remarkable individual who had a profound effect on the education of engineers during his 40 years on our faculty," said College of Engineering Dean F. William Stephenson.
Pletta is survived by two daughters, Ann Pletta Dyckman of Ithaca, N.Y., and Nancy Brehm Olin, of Boston, Mass.
Memorial donations may be made to the Alice and Dan Pletta Scholarship Fund, Office of University Development, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va. Donations also can be made to the Boy's Home, Boy's Home Road, Covington, Va.
LENGTH: Short : 47 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshot) Plettaby CNB