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Mike Stevenson

The Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention (JFAP) is sad to announce the sudden passing of our Editor-in-Chief Dr. Michael E. Stevenson on March 28, 2021. Dr. Stevenson (Mike) had served as the Editor-in-Chief of JFAP since 2011. He was also past chairman of the ASM Failure Analysis Committee, the precursor to the Failure Analysis Society of ASM International. Dr. Stevenson earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Metallurgical Engineering from the University of Alabama and was a registered Professional Engineer. He was serving as the Chairman of the Board and CEO of Energy Systems, Inc. (ESi) at the time of his passing.

Dr. Stevenson’s professional accomplishments were numerous, and he published extensively [https://www.engsys.com/media/1046-mestevenson_cv.pdf]. I am writing this short piece in tribute to Mike’s contributions as a leader, mentor, teacher, and all-around kind human being. Mike was an extremely intelligent and driven individual; however, he was also humble, patient, and a great listener. One of his skills that we all should emulate was to ask questions that forced others to think in a more open-minded way and consider different ways to approach a problem. This was exemplified in his editorial writing in JFAP where he asked questions to help readers consider different perspectives, work through ethical dilemmas, and to always continue to grow and learn in their field.

During the short time I was privileged to work with Mike as a member of the JFAP editorial team, he always made time to reach out and offer some helpful advice. He taught me to never underestimate the value of someone’s work and to treat every author with the utmost respect (a good life lesson for all situations). He encouraged me to always take the time to make helpful suggestions even if the manuscript was not appropriate for the journal. I believe this is emblematic of the way he approached life and the way he interreacted with everyone. Regardless of how successful Mike was, he always made the time to help others learn and grow. His colleagues reinforced this and described how Mike valued personal relationships and made time not only to help them in their professional careers but took an interest in their growth as a person.

In my conversations with Mike, I found there was no time he seemed more excited or proud than when he would talk about his family. He loved spending time with them; loved watching his kids play sports and grow. He always made time to ask about my family and always remembered something important from our previous casual talks, which I found was a really endearing example of just how much he cared about his interactions with everyone.

As mentioned earlier, Mike’s professional accomplishments are vast, and he made great contributions to the field of failure analysis. I will remember Mike as a leader, a mentor, and a friend. I will do my best to remember the lessons he taught me and emulate the way he treated people and valued his relationships with everyone. I hope those of you who were privileged to know Mike will do the same.

Elvin Beach

Deputy Editor

Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention

An endowment at the University of Alabama has been set up in memory of Mike. The information is provided here for anyone who would like to contribute:

Dr. Michael E. Stevenson Endowment—University of Alabama Engineering

Contributions can be made electronically at https://bit.ly/3cuX235 or by mail at Office of Advancement Services, c/o Michael E. Stevenson Endowment, Box 870101, Tuscaloosa, AL 35487.