Former Michigan Technological University President Dale F. Stein passed away October 9 in Tucson, Arizona. He served as Michigan Tech’s president from August 1979 until his retirement in 1991.
Prior to Stein’s presidency, he served as head of the Department of Metallurgical Engineering and vice president of academic affairs at Michigan Tech. He was inducted into the University’s Academy of Metallurgical and Materials Engineers as part of the inaugural 1996 class.
Stein held a Bachelor of Science in Metallurgy from the University of Minnesota and a Ph.D. in Metallurgy from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He began his career with the General Electric Company, then taught at the University of Minnesota, advancing to the rank of professor before coming to MTU in 1971.
He was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a fellow of ASM, and a fellow and past president of the American Institute of Mining Engineering’s Metallurgical Society.
Taken from the Tech Today article from October 23, 2023.
It’s always a somber moment when we reflect on the passing of influential figures like Former MTU President Dale Stein. His contributions to the institution and the legacy he leaves behind will undoubtedly be remembered and honored by those whose lives he touched. May his memory be a source of inspiration and gratitude for the impact he made on the community and beyond.
VOIR Magazin
I graduated from Tech with a BS in Metallurgical Enginering in ’74 while Dale Stein was dept. head. He invited a former colleague (from GE Corp. Research Lab), Dr. Jack Low from Carnegie-Mellon Univ. to speak at one of the Dept. meetings, and I indicated an interest to attend Carnegie for grad school. Even though my GPA was marginal, Dr. Stein knew I was heavily involved with on-campus activities, and I’m convinced the only way I got my fellowship at Carnegie was because of Dr. Stein’s recommendation. I left Carnegie with a much higher GPA and got hired into one of the GE Labs. I’m sure that recommendation changed my career path for the better, so a big Thank You to Dr. Stein, and my condolences to his family.
Dale was active in physical excersize. When the Student Development complex was expanded and handball courts were put in he had one of them, the southern most, made a squash court as it was a favorite game of his.
Also, he played in one of the alumni basketball games in 1980 or so. I also played and at one point was guarding him when a foto was taken of him shooting and me trying to block. We both showed a bit our ages! I sent him a copy of the foto
As one of Dale’s last graduate students I remember him for the example he set for all of his students. While being recognized for being at the top of his profession, Dale was always unassuming, modest, and interested in others. He and Audrey shared their home and lives with all of us.
I was a student of Dr Stein when he first arrived at Tech. Fascinated with his work on Auger Spectroscopy and the extreme vacuums in the equipment. But most of all I remember his “Professional gentleness” promoting our educational expedition. If I were to identity great decisions in my life going to Michigan Tech is second only to my marriage to Colleen…
Dr. Stein handed me my B.Sc. diploma in 1990: I still have the photo. At that brief moment of the handshake, I told him “I’m going to Evendale,” and he smiled and congratulated me heartily.
Our Michigan Tech Metallurgy Dept. changed my life and the lives of many metallurgists living and many now gone. Dr. Ray Smith, Dr. Stein, Dr. Lloyd Heldt, all my met. profs., they helped me learn the science and engineering that rewarded me with a extraordinarily gratifying career at General Electric.
Dr. Stein, RIP
I graduated with a B.S. in metallurgical engineering in 1983. Despite being the President of the university at the time, Dr. Stein still taught dislocation theory—probably about 2 weeks worth of that class. It was an honor to be his student. What an example he set by loving his topic so much that he came into the classroom with us.
Funny, I just finally gave away that textbook (at least partially authored by Stein). After 40 years, no one really wants them, right? No, a welding engineering student at SVSU was told by upperclassmen that he will have a much easier time in his curriculum if he could get his hands on some older my.eng. books. Win-win!
Thank you for your example, Dr. Stein.