Professor Emeritus Robert L. Lott Jr., 82, a distinguished mechanical engineering educator at Vanderbilt University, died in June in Nashville, Tennessee.
Lott served in almost every administrative role in the Department of Mechanical Engineering during his 36-year career. He was department chair from 1972 to 1980. He was director of undergraduate studies from1986 to 2001. He was awarded professor emeritus status in 2001.
Over nearly four decades, Lott’s contributions to teaching and service were exemplary. He taught courses in thermal science and design to undergraduates and graduate students. He was an attentive and thoughtful mentor to his students.
Lott had a record of long and dedicated service to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He served six years in three terms as ASME vice president and was a member of the Board of Governors for three years. He attained the rank of ASME Fellow in 1985, and received an ASME International Distinguished Service Award in 1999 and the ASME Centennial Medallion in 1980.
Lott was a member of the American Society for Engineering Education, the Society of Automotive Engineering, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the National Society of Professional Engineers. He was a licensed professional engineer in Tennessee.
He received a number of grants and contracts including from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and National Aeronautics and Space Administration, among others.
Lott received a BSME degree with honors from Southern Methodist University, a MSME degree from the University of Arkansas and a Ph.D. in engineering from Oklahoma State University.
Contact: Brenda Ellis, (615) 343-6314
Brenda.Ellis@Vanderbilt.edu