Brian Wilson CHERRY (1935 - 2018)

Associate Professor, Faculty of Engineering (1972 - 1992)
Associate Dean (Research & Development), Faculty of Engineering (1992 - 1997)

With sadness, we share that Brian Cherry, Honorary Professional Fellow in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, passed away on 27 April 2018 after a long illness. We send our condolences to his family and loving wife, Miriam.

Professor Cherry was appointed as a senior lecturer for the Department of Civil Engineering at Monash in the late 1960s, initiating teaching and research in polymeric materials.

In 1969, he was a major player in establishing the Department of Materials Engineering as its own entity. Along with the foundation Head, Ian Polmear, he proposed introducing a new undergraduate course in the emerging discipline, receiving the enthusiastic support of then Vice-Chancellor Louis Matheson.

Throughout his career at Monash, Professor Cherry was also instrumental in the development of a modern graduate school (and PhD program) and served as the first Associate Dean (Research) in the Faculty of Engineering – firmly focusing Monash engineering upon research excellence.

Thanks in large part to Professor Cherry’s work, the Department has grown to become one of the few engineering departments in Australia covering such a wide range of materials.

Please join us in celebrating a life well-lived and honouring Professor Cherry’s achievements at the University.

Published in The Insider, 21 May 2018.