In memoriam: Thomas M. Murray, professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering
Thomas M. Murray, professor emeritus who taught in Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering for 21 years, passed away on Aug. 29 at the age of 84, in Durham, North Carolina, surrounded by his family.
Murray started his engineering career at Iowa State University, graduating with his bachelor’s degree in 1962. He achieved an Master of Science in civil engineering at Lehigh University and a Ph.D. in engineering mechanics at the University of Kansas.
He joined Virginia Tech in 1987 and developed an experimental research laboratory. Murray built the lab from scratch into the fifth-largest structural engineering research laboratory in the nation. From the success of his company, Structural Engineers Inc., he became known as the "floor vibration guru." As an expert in structural steel design, he authored or co-authored over 200 books, design guides, papers, and 200 research reports; supervised approximately 150 graduate student theses and dissertations; and made over 250 presentations to structural engineering groups around the world. His work resulted in significant improvements in the safety of steel-framed buildings and meaningful contributions to American Institute of Steel Construction, American Iron Institute Specification Committee, and AISC Committee on manuals and textbooks.
In 2002, he was inducted into the prestigious National Academy of Engineering. He also received numerous awards and recognition in teaching and research including the T.R. Higgins Lectureship Award, the American Institute of Construction Geerhard Haaijer Award for Excellence in Education, the Outstanding Faculty Award from the Virginia State Council of Higher Education, and the Distinguished American Society of Civil Engineers Award. He retired from Virginia Tech in 2008 as a professor emeritus.
“As a structural engineer and colleague, Tom was a professional extraordinaire,” said Mark Widdowson, department head of the Charles E. Via, Jr. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE). “Tom gave of himself in the classroom where he shared his insights and experience and faithfully served the CEE department in leadership roles. Tom’s emeritus status did not diminish his commitment to students and faculty.”
In fact, in 2021, the Thomas M. Murray Family Junior Faculty Fellowship was established through a gift from Murray. The fellowship supports the teaching and research excellence in the department.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked to donate to MPN Research Foundation. View the full obituary and information regarding services online.
