Prof. Emeritus John Robert Osborne - Obituary

The School of Aeronautics and Astronautics was sad to hear of the passing of Professor Emeritus John Robert “Bob” Osborne. He earned his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University in 1957 in the laboratory of Professor Zucrow. He worked as a mechanical engineer at Morton Thiokol in Huntsville, Alabama working on rocketry and solid propellants.

He then worked as a professor at Purdue University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering from 1957 until 1980 when he transferred to Aeronautics and Astronautics where he continued until his retirement in 1990. In April 1989, he won Outstanding Teacher and Researcher at Purdue presented by his students and colleagues. The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in July of 1995 awarded him the prestigious Wyld Propulsion Award for the outstanding contributions in analytical studies of rocket propulsion, which contributed to successful development of rocket propulsion systems including the Space Shuttle main engine and rocket motor.

Please read the full obituary below.