Richard E. Munsterman obituary

Dr. Richard E. Munsterman of Petoskey, a former Western Michigan University chair and professor emeritus of industrial and manufacturing engineering, died Feb. 4 at home. He was 79.

Munsterman joined the WMU faculty in 1977 and retired in 1998 after 21 years of service to the University.

Richard Munsterman

He began his WMU career in the Department of Educational Leadership and moved to the Department of Industrial Engineering in 1983. In addition to teaching in that department, he served as graduate advisor for the manufacturing administration program.

Munsterman was tapped in 1985 to direct the engineering and technical programs offered through WMU's Grand Rapids regional location. He was appointed chair of the industrial engineering department five years later and remained in that post until about a year before retiring.

Active on and off campus, Munsterman was credited with building several important University-industry relationships as well as being instrumental in setting up programs such as WMU's first on-site Master of Science degree exclusively for employees of a private company.

He earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the General Motors Institute in 1959 as well as two degrees from the University of Iowa, a master's degree in industrial engineering and statistics in 1969 and a doctoral degree in research methods and management information systems in 1971.

Remembrances

Memorial gifts may be made to the DeVet and Munsterman Fund at McLaren Northern Michigan, 360 Connable Ave., Petoskey, MI 49770.

To make a memorial guestbook entry, visit stonefuneralhomeinc.com.