In Memoriam: Victor Harvey Ransom (1932-2025)

Victor Harvey Ransom, who served as head of Purdue’s School of Nuclear Engineering from 1990-98 and continued as a professor in the school until 2001, was remembered at a special event Nov. 12 during the 2025 American Nuclear Society Winter Conference & Expo in Washington, D.C.

A panel session, “Vic Ransom Memorial: A Legacy in Computational Thermal Hydraulics,” paid tribute to the life and lasting impact of Dr. Ransom, who passed away June 27, 2025, at 93. Former students, collaborators and colleagues spoke and presented technical briefs on his contributions, personal reflections, professional insights, and enduring influence on generations of nuclear professionals.

Organized by Shripad Revankar, Purdue professor of nuclear engineering, the panel discussion was attended by many of Dr. Ransom’s former associates and students, as well as his family.

Seungjin Kim, the Capt. James McCarthy, Jr. and Cheryl E. McCarthy Head of Nuclear Engineering and professor of Nuclear Engineering, presented a plaque to family members. The plaque cited Dr. Ransom’s “outstanding and distinguished service and leadership” to Purdue Nuclear Engineering, and his “dedication to education, research and services to academies, national labs and government agencies.” He was recognized specifically for developing the  RELAP5  code, transient simulation methods, and two-phase flow modeling.

Dr. Ransom received a BS in chemical engineering from the University of Idaho in 1955 and a PhD in mechanical engineering from Purdue in 1970.