CURRICULUM VITA

William D. Becher

  • Adjunct Professor (retired)
  • Electrical Engineering & Computer Science
  • The University of Michigan
  • Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2122
  • Phone: 734-994-5541 (Home)
  • E-mail: becher AT eecs.umich.edu
  • URL Path: http://www.eecs.umich.edu/~becher
  • Date/place of birth: November 26, 1929 (Bolivar, Ohio)
  • Married, 2 children, 3 grandchildren

EDUCATION

  • BS Radio Engineering, Tri-State University (now Trine University), 1950
  • MSE Electrical Engineering, The University of Michigan 1961
  • PhD Electrical Engineering, The University of Michigan, 1968

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

The University of Michigan

  • Dept of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (Ann Arbor): Adjunct Professor (Retired), 1995-present
  • Dept of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science (Ann Arbor): Adjunct Professor, 1978-79, 1981-87, 1989-95
  • Dept of Electrical Engineering (Dearborn Campus): Chair 1971-76, Professor 1973-78, Associate Professor 1970-73, Assistant Professor 1968-70, Lecturer 1964-68
  • Willow Run Laboratories: Research Engineer, 1963-68

Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (formerly Willow Run Laboratories, Veridian International, now General Dynamics)

  • Emeritus Research Engineer 1990-present
  • Office of the President: Technical Consultant 1988-90, Director of Corporate Education and Training 1987
  • Information and Processing Division: Manager VHSIC Technology Insertion Program 1986-87
  • Infrared & Optics Division: Associate Director 1981-86
  • Radar Division: Manager: Radar Technology Dept 1977-79

California State University, Fresno, California

  • Dept of Electrical Engineering: Chair and Professor 1988 (Jan to Dec)

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, New Jersey

  • College of Engineering: Dean 1979-81
  • Dept of Electrical Engineering: Professor 1979-81

Barton Publishers, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Owner 1999-2007,

WIDBEC Engineering, Ann Arbor, Michigan (Engineering Consulting)

  • Owner 1976-present,

Michigan Computers & Instrumentation, Inc. Ann Arbor, Michigan (WIDBEC Engineering spin-off)

  • President & Co-founder 1983-87 (sold in 1987)

Bendix Aerospace Systems Division, Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Data Handling & Displays Dept: Engineering Supervisor 1958-63

Beckman Instruments, Richmond/Fullerton, California

  • Systems Division: Senior Systems Engineer 1957-58

Goodyear Aircraft Corp., Akron, Ohio

  • Missle Systems and Analog Computer Depts: Senior Development Engineer 1953-57

U.S. Army, Corp. of Engineers, Ft. Belvoir, Virginia

  • Dept of Mechanics & Technology: Electronics Instructor 1953-55

Bogue Electric Co., Paterson, New Jersey

  • Electronics Dept: Project Engineer 1950-53

CONSULTING

  • Diamond International, Canton, Michigan
  • Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Rowe International, Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Chrysler Corp, Detroit, Michigan
  • Monsanto Co., St. Louis, Missouri
  • Emerson Electric Corp., St. Louis, Missouri
  • MERIT Computer Network, The University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Kelsh Instrument Co., Ann Arbor, Michigan
  • Chain Lakes Research Associates, Detroit, Michigan

PROFESSIONAL AND HONORARY SOCIETIES

  • Tri-State University (now Trine University), President's Advisory Board 2005-08, Electrical and Computer Engineering Industrial Advisory Board 2006-present
  • University of Michigan, Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Alumni Society, President 2002-04, Past President 2004-06, Acting President 2008, Board of Directors, 2006-present
  • American Society for Engineering Education
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1951-present (Life Senior 1995-present) SE Michigan Section: Director 1971-74, Treasurer 1975, Secretary 1976, Vice-Chairman 1977, Chairman 1978, Jr. Past Chairman 1979 Computer Society SE Michigan Chapter: Secretary 1966-67, Vice-Chairman 1970-71
  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, Accreditation Team Electrical Engineering 1981-85, Engineering Science 1986-91
  • Order of the Engineer
  • Alpha Sigma Lambda
  • Eta Kappa Nu
  • Phi Kappa Phi
  • Sigma Xi
  • Tau Beta Pi
  • F.C.C. Amateur Radio Operator License: AA8RW
  • Registered Professional Engineer: New Jersey (retired) and Michigan

HONORS AND AWARDS

G.E. Fellowship in Electrical Engineering, 1962-63. Listed (at one time or another) in: American Men and Women of Science, International Scholars Directory, Who's Who in the Midwest, Computer Education and Research; Who's Who in Michigan, Outstanding Americans, Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans, Who's Who in Engineering, Who's Who in the East, Who's Who in Technology Today, Who's Who in America; Tri-State University Outstanding Alumni Award 2006, University of Michigan Amateur Radio Club Honorary Member.

PATENTS

  • "Calibrated Apparatus for Measuring Liquid Levels," U.S. Patent No. 2,753,542, July 3, 1956.
  • "Apparatus for Measuring Liquid Levels," U.S. Patent No. 2,775,748, December 25, 1956.

PUBLICATIONS

Books and Special Courses:

  • Becher, W. D., Amateur Radio License Web Site prepared especially for the University of Michigan Amateur Radio Club
  • Becher, W. D., ARROW Amateur Radio Operator Course, (Technician Class License), 1997, 2000, 2002-4, 2006
  • Becher, W. D., An Ocean Between: A novel, Barton Publishers, 2000
  • Becher, W. D., (Contributed 1 article to collection of articles), Machine Vision: Capabilities For Industry, Society of Manufacturing Engineers, 1986.
  • Becher, W. D., Logical Design Using Integrated Circuits, Hayden Publishing Co., 1977.
  • Nuedeck, G. W., Becher, W. D. and Gutmann, R. J., (Advisory Board), Second Course in Continuing Education for Electronics Engineers Electronic Circuit Design, McGraw-Hill, 1976.
  • Gutmann, R. J., Becher, W. D. and Nuedeck, G. W., (Advisory Board), Course in Continuing Education for Electronics Engineers Integrated Circuit Technology, McGraw-Hill, 1976.
  • Becher, W. D. (Chairman and Editor), et al., Logical Design for Digital Computer and Instrumentation Systems, Engineering Summer Conference, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, annually 1971-78.

Journals and Symposia:

  • Becher, W. D., Auterman, J. L., and Johnson, F. P., A Scan Mode Synthetic Aperture Radar System, 25th Tri-Service Radar Symposium, Colorado Springs, Colorado, September 1979.
  • Becher, W. D. and Aupperle, E. M., Communications Computer Hardware of the MERIT Computer Network, IEEE Transactions on Communications, Vol. COM-20, No. 3, Part II, June 1972.
  • Becher, W. D., and Sharpe, C. B., A Synthesis Approach to Magnetotelluric Exploration, Radio Science, Vol. 4, No. 11, November 1969.
  • Becher, W. D., The Laplace Transform, an Intuitive Approach, Instruments and Control Systems, January 1968.
  • Becher, W. D., A Regulated Power Supply DC Analysis, ElectroTechnology, September 1964.
  • Becher, W. D., Poems From Willie Be, Independent Times, Ann Arbor, MI, Vol 16, No 11, Feb 2006 - Vol 18, No 07, Jul 08.

Significant Research Reports:

  • Becher, W. D., VHSIC Training Manager and Video Tape Presentation, Report No. 185200-11-F, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, May 1987.
  • Becher, W. D., Feigan, A., and Sattinger, I. S., VHSIC Information Analysis Center Study, Report No. 181500-17-F, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, January 1986.
  • Becher, W. D., VHSIC Workshop Critique, Report No. 173700-1-F, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 1984.
  • Becher, W. D., VHSIC Training Manager and Technical Consultant, Technical Insertion Recommendations, Report No. 173800-7-F, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, October 1984.
  • Becher, W. D., Concept For A VHSIC Information and Analysis Center, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., Jan. 1984.
  • Becher, W. D., Considerations of the VHSIC Technology Insertion Regional Workshop, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich. October 1983.
  • Becher, W. D., et al., Fine Resolution Data Collection and Analysis, Report No. 128400-99-F, Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, August 1981.
  • Becher, W. D., Vertical Geoelectric Exploration Utilizing Nonuniform Transmission Line Theory, Doctoral Dissertation, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 1968.
  • Becher, W. D., Brown, J. O., and Wescott, J. W., Detection and Recognition of Images of Mass-Produced Artifacts, Report No. ECOM-000l3-98-R, Willow Run Laboratories, Institute of Science and Technology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, April 1967.
  • Becher, W. D., A Simple Device for Aiding the Programming of the LGP-30 Digital Computer, Report No. 6400-15-R, Institute of Science and Technology, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Mich., February 1965.

Conference and Seminar Papers:

  • Becher, W. D., Westinghouse and Honeywell Chip Sets and Brassboards, VHSIC Regional Workshop, sponsored by the VHSIC Insertion Program Office (at twenty one different regional locations throughout U.S. in 1984-88).
  • Becher, W. D., and Van Atta, P. W., A Different Real-Time Image Processor," Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, April 26-27, 1983.
  • Becher, W. D., and Peace, G. M., Advanced Imaging Development, Fourth Annual Honeywell CAD & CAM Workshop, Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 19-21, 1982.
  • Becher, W. D., Cytocomputer, A Real-Time Inspection Processor, Workshop for Control Sensors for the Steel Industry, American Iron and Steel Institute, National Bureau of Stds, Gaithersburg, Md., July 1982.
  • Becher, W. D. and Lougheed, R. M., Three Dimensional Scanners, Cytocomputers and Machine Vision, Robotics Research Center Seminar, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, June 16-17, 1982.
  • Becher W. D., Cytocomputer, A General Purpose Image Processor, ASEE 1982 North Central Section Conference, General Motors Institute, Flint, Michigan, April 1982.
  • Becher, W. D., Digital Logic Design & Computer Fundamentals, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, 1986.
  • Becher, W. D., Introduction to Microprocessors, Microprocessor/Computer Seminar, Southeastern Michigan Section, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, Southfield, Michigan, March 1979.
  • Becher, W. D., Modern Synthetic Aperture Radars, Electrical Engineering Seminar, University of West Virginia, Morgantown, West Virginia, November 1978.
  • Becher, W. D., Microprocessor Design Seminar, Rowe International, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1977.
  • Becher, W. D., Digital Electronics Design Seminar, Monsanto Co., St. Louis, Missouri, 1974.
  • Becher, W. D., Digital Logic Design, Digital Techniques Seminar, Emerson Electric Co., St. Louis, Missouri, 1972.
  • Becher, W. D. and Sharpe, C. B., Electrical Properties of Stratified Media from Surface EM Field Measurements, The 1969 USNC/USRI-IEEE Spring Meeting, Washington, D. C., 1969.

Conference Activities:

  • Paper Review Committee, Government Microcircuit Applications Conference (GOMAC-87), Orlando, Florida, October 1987.
  • Program Committee, Vision 85 Conference, Machine Vision Association of the SME, March 25-28, 1985.
  • Chairman, Techniques Session, ACM Computer Science Conference, Washington, D. C., February, 1975.
  • Chairman, Hardware III Session, ACM Computer Science Conference, Detroit, Michigan, February 1974.
  • Chairman, Region IV Electrical Engineering Department Chairman Meeting, 1973 National Electronics Conference, Chicago, Illinois, October 1973.

Other:

  • W. D. Becher (Producer, Author and Editor), VHSIC, The Answer, A 19:10 minute video tape targeted to Senior Officers of the Armed Services, Congress and the Senate. Prepared for the Computer and Electronic Technology Directorate, Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Development, Washington, D.C., Environmental Research Institute of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, Feb. 1987.

Return to Becher's home page.

becher AT eecs.umich.edu

Last updated 9 Dec 08