Obituaries

Dr. Cecil O. Cogburn

Dr. Cecil O. Cogburn, 94, died on Tuesday, June 11, 2013, at the Willard Walker Hospice Home. He was born in Caddo Gap, Ark., on May 22, 1919, to Harrison Cogburn and Ora Ledbetter Cogburn and was their only surviving child. Dr. Cogburn was a professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at the University of Arkansas from 1947 until 1989. After his service in the United States Air Force during World War II, he attended the University of Arkansas where he received both his bachelor's and master's degrees in mechanical engineering, while continuing on in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. As the recipient of a National Science Foundation fellowship, he received his doctorate degree in nuclear engineering from the University of London in 1970. He was married to love of his life, Kathryn Cunningham Cogburn, for 62 years until her death in 2004. His only child, Thomas Harrison Cogburn, died in 1990. He had many interests in life – he loved traveling, flying small planes, cars and teaching. A recently completed engineering addition at Corley Hall on the Arkansas Tech campus in Russellville has been named in honor of Dr. Cogburn in recognition of his continued support for nuclear engineering education and his financial gifts. In many ways, Dr. Cogburn is known as the "father of nuclear engineering education in the state of Arkansas." Among Dr. Cogburn's most lasting contributions to higher education in Arkansas was his introduction of nuclear engineering courses at the University of Arkansas. His financial gifts helped Arkansas Tech develop a master of science degree in nuclear engineering. Dr. Cogburn also influenced several generations of his students to become engineers and engineering teachers. He is survived by his daughter-in-law, Carol Nevin Cogburn. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. Friday, June 14, at the Fairview Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the National Alzheimer's Association, P.O. Box 960111, Washington, D.C. 20090-6011. To sign the online guestbook, please visit www.mooresfuneralchapel.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Moore's Chapel, Fayetteville, Ark.

Published June 12, 2013

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