Edgar Ross Forman, mechanical engineer

Edgar Ross Forman, 89, formerly of Erdenheim, a mechanical engineer for more than 40 years, died of heart failure Monday, Oct. 29, at Normandy Farms Estates, a retirement facility in Blue Bell.

Mr. Forman, known by his middle name, specialized in the mechanics of instrumentation and automation at a time when the latter field was just being born, said his wife, the former Alma Kuppinger.

He was a pioneer in automated systems and control engineering, which might mean measuring the pressure inside a tank or the velocity of a substance moving through that tank, his wife said.

Much of the work Mr. Forman did is now computerized, she said.

Born in Camden, Mr. Forman graduated from Haddon Township High School in 1944. During World War II, he served in Europe with the Army 94th Infantry Division in the 319th Engineers. He was discharged in 1946 with the rank of corporal.

He earned a bachelor's degree of science and mechanical engineering from Drexel University in 1950 and a master's of business administration in 1952.

He served as an application engineer at Moore Products Co., chief instrument engineer at Catalytic Construction Co., supervising instrument engineer at United Engineers & Constructors Co., and manager of instruments and controls at Day & Zimmerman Group Inc., all in Philadelphia.

Mr. Forman was a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers and a former president of its Valley Forge chapter.

He was a fellow of the Instrument Society of America and in 1990 was named the society's Engineer of the Year for the Delaware Valley. He also received the Donald P. Eckman Award, the Golden Achievement Award, and an award for outstanding service.

As chairman of the society's Education Committee, he initiated the Philadelphia Plan, coordinating courses leading to engineer certification, and was a member of the group's industrial team visiting China.

He was active for many years in Mathcounts, an outreach program of the National Society of Professional Engineers. He lectured at Drexel University on chemical engineering control systems.

After retiring as director of automation technology for Day & Zimmerman in 1993, he kept busy with community service, his wife said.

He was a past president of the Erdenheim Civic Association and liked to help out with the July Fourth celebration.

The Formans moved to Normandy Farms in 2003. As a member of the Normandy Farms Estates Residents Association, Mr. Forman supervised the replacement of regular incandescent lights with LEDs.

"He was very detail-oriented," his wife said. "If he had a plan, he really thought it through."

He was also active in Alpha Phi Omega, a national service fraternity, and a Mason. He was a member of St. Alban-Swain Lodge, York and Scottish Rites, Commandery, Joppa Council, and the Shrine. In later years, he attended Concordia Lodge.

Surviving, in addition to his wife of 59 years, are a son, Bruce Ross; a daughter, Dianne; and a sister.

A Masonic service at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, will be followed by a memorial service at 10:30 in the auditorium of Normandy Farms Estates, 9000 Twin Silo Dr., Blue Bell. A private burial will be later at St. Thomas' Church, Whitemarsh.

Memorial donations may be made to John E. Tate, c/o the Dyslexia Fund, Masonic Temple, 1 N. Broad St., Philadelphia 19107.