ECE Division Mourns Loss of Dr. Kinney

21 July 2013

ECE Professor Emeritus Ralph A. Kinney passed away on July 21, 2013 at the age of 82. He was a veteran of the Korean War, serving in the Army's 235th Field Artillery Battalion earning the rank of Captain. He pitched baseball while earning his degree at the University of Florida and later also pitched in the minor leagues for the Gainesville G-Men. After receiving his doctoral degree from the University of Florida in Electrical Engineering with a minor in Physics, he joined the faculty of the Electrical Engineering Department at LSU in 1967. During his over thirty-year tenure at LSU, he taught and mentored countless students, served as president of the Faculty Senate and was awarded the John E. and Beatrice L. Ritter Professorship from the College of Engineering. He retired from LSU in 1998. As a retiree, Dr. Kinney developed a talent for digitally restoring old photographs.

Throughout his life, Professor Kinney was an athlete, soldier, teacher, sailor, artist, softball coach, sports fan, friend, family member and above all a mentor. He was a mentor not just to students but also to many faculty members. He championed and mentored faculty members on importance of faculty governance in academia. Professor Kinney will be missed as an educator and as a faculty leader. Ralph's friendly smile, willingness to help others and his positive attitude will always be cherished by his students, colleagues and staff members.