In Memoriam: Alvin O. Converse

Professor Alvin O. Converse

He taught both undergraduate and graduate courses—in thermodynamics, transport phenomena, chemical reactor design, and energy conversion— and championed the School’s signature learn-by-doing approach. 

“Many generations of thermodynamics students probably have memories of building Stirling engines as part of his class,” says Professor and Interim Dean Doug Van Citters ’99 Th’03 Th’06. “Consider the record size of our programs and yet our continued emphasis on individualized learning by doing. Al’s dedication to hands-on, project-based learning, passion for creative engineering design, and his teaching and scholarship have been integral to shaping Thayer into who we are today.” 

He and his family lived across the river in Norwich, Vt., where he served on the school board for several years. An avid hiker, he helped established the Bill Ballard and the Converse loop walking trails in Norwich. 

Converse loved music, especially opera, taught himself to play the recorder, and performed locally in a recorder ensemble. He enjoyed his family and friends, skiing or walking in the woods, having good conversations, and fine woodworking. Converse was a poet and published a collection, Downward Growing Trees. 

He spent the last 14 years in Santa Fe, N.M., with his wife of 70 years, Merry. He is survived by his wife; sons David, Tom, and James; two grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.