The late Louis Landweber, professor of mechanics and hydraulics and research engineer, IIHR--Hydroscience & Engineering and professor emeritus, was inducted April 25 into the College of Engineering's Legacy of Iowa Engineering.

The Legacy of Iowa Engineering honors faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the College of Engineering who made exceptional historical contributions toward advancing the College in teaching, research, or service during their engagement with the college.

"Lou Landweber had a thirst for knowledge that never ran dry," noted Engineering Dean Alec Scranton during the induction ceremony.  "Soft-spoken, he was renowned for his problem-solving approach.  He offered any visitor a chair alongside his own desk, pulled out a writing shelf, positioned his pencil and writing pad, and gently talked the visitor through the problem, step by step." 

"Landweber’s career at IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering was among the longest and most productive in its history.  Under his guidance, IIHR became a national leader in naval architecture and ship hydrodynamics research.  But his more than 50 MS and PhD students remember him best for his integrity, warmth, support, and humor—characteristics that rival even his vast technical achievements," he added.

Landweber came to the University of Iowa in 1954. His many honors included being appointed David W. Taylor Lecturer, named for the country's preeminent naval architect, at the David W. Taylor Naval Ship Research and Development Center and receiving the Davidson Medal, presented by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers, both in 1978; being honored by a special session at the Third Engineering Mechanics Division Specialty Conference of the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1979; and being named Weinblum Memorial Lecturer for 1981.

In 1980, he was elected to the National Academy of Engineering, the highest professional distinction that can be conferred upon an engineer, for his "research, design, and educational contributions to modern naval architecture and marine engineering."

In addition to his many honors and his supervising more than 50 master's and doctoral students, Landweber served as author, co-author or editor of approximately 150 technical papers, reports, monographs and books in the fields of hydrodynamics and naval architecture. His professional affiliations included Fellow of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and Fellow of the American Academy of Mechanics.

For more on Lou Landweber, go to https://www.iihr.uiowa.edu/2017/04/27/ui-legacy-of-iowa-engineering-inducts-landweber/.