HomeMy WebLinkAboutWalter Lynn Obituary.PDFCornell Chronicle: Walter Lynn obituary
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June 9, 201 1
Wafter Lynn, former dean, omb+dsman, dies atg2
By Anne Ju 1i'4(.,q?lt.'2;+,. ,/,,.',:
Walter R. Lynn, professor enreriius of civil and
environmental engineering and of science and
technology studies, died Jun,e 6 of cancer. He was 82
Lynn, who joined the Cornell faculty in 1961 and
became emeritus in 1998, served in a number of key
administrative roles, includinl; most recenfly as
university ombudsman for 12 years, and previously, as
a faculty trustee and dean of the university faculty.
In a June 7 campuswide statement, Cornell presrdent
David Skorton called Lynn "one of the most beloved
members of the Cornell family."
He noted: "Those who met !\ralter during his 49 years
at Cornell will remember a man of great humor with the
exceptional ability to listen and dispense sound
wisdom."
lndependent of the un iversity's admin istrative structure,
the Cornell University Ombudsman office is a ii: ,t
confidential service available to all members of the 7:.:Cornell community to help rer;olve conflicts or disputes ;
Provided
"On the list of desirable attribtltes of a Cornell University Qmbudsman, the last read, 'Non-judgmental, good
listener, fair, diplomatic, calm, sensible,' That was Walter.,l Skorton said
Valdimir (as misspelled on his, birth certificate) Roval was born Oct. 1, 1928. He received his B.S. in
civil engineering from the University of Miami in 1950,s degree in sanitary engineering from the
University of North Carolina in 1954 and ph.D. from Nort University in 1963,
He came to Cornell as an associate professor of sanitary in 1961 . Early on, he held a joint
appointment at what is now called Weill Cornell Medical llege in New York City, where he taught courses
on systems methods to physic;ians. He also worked on eprdemiology to understand the interface
between human biological and civil-engineered systems
ln 1972, as founder and head of the Cornell Universitv Ce for Environmental Quality Management
(1966-76), he coined the term "sustainabilitv" in a multidisciplinary research team of engineers,
chemjsts, biologists, economis;ts, lawyers and This was an attempt to define and organize
society's environmental problerms in meaningful ways that human aspirations and proclivities
Lynn was a pioneer in the application of modern concepts engrneering and optimization to problems of
water resources management, risk management and In 1961 he brought systems techniques,
aided by emerging computer c;apabilities, to Cornell for framing and analysis of solutions for many civil
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Uiri\lersity Orl'thrJd$rnan
Waltor Lynn steps aside
Me$$age 0f cond0ience
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Cornell Chronicle: Walter Lynn obituary
engineering problems, particularly those dealing with
environmental and public health concerns.
From 1988 to1993, Lynn served as dean ofthe u
issues facing the faculty, including the quality of
for research. He was instrunrental in the establishment
program, which recognizes outstanding undergraduate
As a faculty member of the tichool of Civil and
Science, Technology and Society for eight years and
Environmental Research, as well as director of the
1985 and as a member of the board of directors of the
Over the years Lynn served on numerous National
study the regionalization of the Washington, D.C., water
Lynn also was active civically. He served as mavor of
as chair of the City of lthaca,s Urban Renewal Agency,
Commons. He also served on the Board of Directors of
(1 991 -95).
Lynn also led such organizations as the Southern
York State Water Resources planning Council, to whicn
of droughts 1964-66 and again in 19g4. As water ,'czar,,,
emergency in New York City.
His many honors include: fellow and life member of the
American Society for the Advancement of Science; ano
Council of the National Acadrsmies.
Lynn is survived by his wife, Earbara, and their son.
Plans to commemorate his life will be made in the com
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I June story inclex I Cornelt Ch
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supply, water treatment and broader
faculty. During thai time he focused on several
education and the status offederal support
the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellowshio
Engineering, Lynn directed the program on
as director of Cornell's Center for
He also served as faculty trustee from 1980 to
Research Foundation
panels and working groups, including one to
system, now successfully implemented.
Village of Cayuga Heights from 2002 to 2008 and
led to the development of The lthaca
Sciencenter (1 982-85) and planned parenthood
Intermunicipal Water Commission and the New
was appointed chair in 1985 following a series
had the absolute authority to declare a drought
Society of Civil Engineers; fellow of the
associate of the National Research
as well as many family members and friends
days in consultation with his familv.
Online l"lonre Fage I