Dr. Charles Russell Mischke (1927-2016)

MISCHKE, SCHOLL, BUBECK

Posted By: Mark Christian
Date: 10/2/2016 at 21:47:06

From Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care obituary, Ames, Story County, Iowa:

Dr. Charles Russell Mischke, aged 89, passed away quietly on September 10, 2016 at the Bickford of Ames assisted living facility in Ames, Iowa.

Charles was born in New York City on March 2, 1927 to Reinhardt Charles Mischke and Dena (Scholl) Mischke. After graduation from Brooklyn Tech high school, Charles earned a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (BSME) degree from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY, through NROTC and commissioned an officer in the US Navy upon graduation. After serving his initial two-year active duty obligation, Charles continued in the Naval Reserve for another 29 years.

He resumed study at Cornell University, completing his Master of Mechanical Engineering (MSME) degree in 1951. During this time he met and married fellow graduate student Margaret R. Bubeck, they wed on August 4, 1951. In 1953, Charles graduated from the University of Wisconsin at Madison with his Doctorate in Mechanical Engineering (PhD, ME) with Honors.

During a 42-year academic career, Charles taught and researched at University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas (1953-1957), Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY where he was also appointed mechanical engineering department head (1957-1964); and Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa (1964-1995). His work in computer-aided design opened new horizons by providing engineers refinement and innovation of formerly complex, time-intensive preliminary design work. Amongst various recognitions for his expertise by industry and his peers, Charles published several mechanical engineering textbooks including the widely used textbook Machine Element Design and co-wrote the comprehensive, multi-disciplinary reference work, The Handbook of Machine Design.

Charles led Boy Scout Troop 269 in Ames as scoutmaster. His lifelong interest in electric interurban railways drew him to the hobby of model railroading. After retirement from ISU, he became involved with the Boone & Scenic Valley (B&SV) railroad at Boone, Iowa as a certified conductor, trolley motorman and diesel locomotive engineer for 15 years. His interest and research in trains treated his passengers to a wealth of technical information and anecdotes.

Charles was preceded in death by his parents, he is survived by a brother Roland Alan Mischke of Talhequah, Oklahoma, his wife Margaret, two sons Thomas and James, and two grandchildren Karl and Anna Marie.

No formal viewing or reception is planned. Burial will occur at sea, conducted by the U.S. Navy - in honor of the service which made his college education and opportunities possible.

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