Dr. William Spillers, distinguished professor and former chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering passed away Tuesday, April 20, 2010. Bill began his career at NJIT as a professor and chairman of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1990 and served in that capacity until June 1998. Prior to joining the NJIT faculty he was a professor of civil engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He received the Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1961.
A pillar of the NJIT university community, Dr. Spillers was an expert in structural mechanics and design theory. He was a registered P.E. in both New York and New Jersey and participated widely in professional activities including the American Society of Civil Engineers, the NSF Foundation Workshop on Computational Foundations of Architectural Design, and the Second International Conference on Civil and Structural Engineering Computing. Professor Spillers was named “Educator of the Year” by the Consulting Engineers Council of New Jersey, received a Guggenheim Fellowship and was a member of both Sigma Xi and Chi Epsilon. During his recent sabbatical leave (2008-2009) he completed a new book entitled Structural Optimization published by Springer-Verlag.
Always very active in every aspect of university life, Bill will be missed by his many students and colleagues not only for his numerous scholarly contributions, but for his sharp wit and never failing sense of humor. He is survived by his wife Joy and his children.
There will be a memorial service for Dr. William Spillers on Wednesday, May 5, 2010 from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in Ballroom B, following the NJIT faculty meeting. The Spillers family has requested that donations in Bill’s memory be made to the Breast Cancer Network of Strength charity (http://www.networkofstrength.org/information).
It's very saddening that NJIT has lost such a jovial professor. He will be missed, and his absence will not go unnoticed by the community.
ReplyDeleteBill Spillers was a regular patron of the NJIT Library. The entire staff enjoyed working with him. I remember he was always very direct and concise about the information that he needed. His e-mail headers to me usually said "help". He would explain his need for information very succinctly. I fondly remember the time he complimented me in front of my boss.
ReplyDeleteBill will sorely be missed by the entire NJIT community.
Bruce Slutsky
He is the only reason I am an engineer today and not an architect. His engineering skill is only matched by his desire to teach it. He wanted me to be more than I thought I could ever be, and he won.
ReplyDeleteBill was a great guy. He was my thesis advisor at Rensselaer in the late 80's and I was so happy to hear of his arrival to NJIT where I did my undergraduate work. We enjoyed many good times to the very end and he will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteOne of the coolest professors at NJIT Civil Engineering Department. He was always an upbeat kind of guy and very witty at times. Most of the students that got a chance to learn under him will miss him as a professor and great guy to know. My condolescences go the Spiller family.
ReplyDeleteI once had lunch with Bill Spillers. It wasn't planned, we just sat down together to eat, and he told me that one of the joys of his life had been the opportunity to go sailing. He said it was an opportunity i should take if it is ever presented to me
ReplyDeleteGone but surely not forgotten!! Dr. Spillers the world is very different because of you and will not be the same without you..Thank you for the knowledge that you imparted....
ReplyDeleteProfessor Spillers is one of the kindest teachers I've ever had, he helped me finding a career, encouraged me to pursue my Ph.D degree and he was always there when I needed his help.
ReplyDeleteHis charisma is unique, and his smile will never be forgotten. May God bless his soul in heaven and let him rest in peace.
Oruba Rabie
This is a great loss to our civil department and NJIT!!! We miss you so much!
ReplyDeleteEarly mornings while all in the department were asleep he was working in his office. One day when we were all awake in the department I learned that he had gone to sleep forever. Rest in Peace Dr. Spillers, I can't forget your enthusiasm to answer students' questions, your sense of humor and your ever friendly face.
ReplyDeleteAs a staff member in the library, we will never forget Dr. Spillers smile. He never failed to come to the desk to say hello to us. We will miss him immensely.
ReplyDeleteNo farewell words were spoken,
ReplyDeleteno time to say goodbye, you were
gone before we knew it, and only
God knows why
Dear Professor Spillers,
ReplyDeleteI cannot express the deep sadness I feel, knowing that you cannot be among us any more. All I can say is that we, your students, will miss you terribly and wish you everlasting peace and calmness. May your family find solace in spite of this great tragedy.
Love always,
Shabnam.
Prof. Spillers stood out at NJIT as a true scholar, gentleman and friend to all. He will be greatly missed. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family.
ReplyDeleteDr. Spillers was a humble and happy man. After reading the posts, I realize that his humor and warm smile did not go un-noticed. It's hard to believe he's really gone -- he will live in our memory always,
ReplyDeleteIf you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life. For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one. In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond; and like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring. Trust dreams, for in them, is hidden the gate to eternity. (Khalil Gibran)
ReplyDeleteAn outstanding scholar, amiable person and very pleasant to work with. He will live through his academic legacy forever.
ReplyDeleteBill Spillers always had a joke to tell me, always smiling when I told him my 'joke of the day.'
ReplyDeleteBill was my advisor. He brought to US and he found me a job after graduation. He helped me to develop my carrier. He did the same for many of his students. He was a great human being. His grant soul had affected many lives. He was a wonderful teacher, inside and outside the class room. He will be deeply missed.
ReplyDeleteBill was one of the kindnest person one would ever meet. He had had keen interest in his students and always strive to help others. I remember back in 1996 when I was part of a group of students perparing for a steel bridge competition. Dr. Spillers spent nights with us in the old structural lab going over every bit of details and fed us with McDonald's sandwiches for three nights. Good enough we applied his suggestions and won the regional competition and went all the way to compete nationally against top rank Civil Engineering schools in the nation. We truly loved Bill. Gone from our lives, forever in our hearts!
ReplyDeleteMike Gelin
USA
I am deeply indebted to Dr. Spillers for his guidance during my Masters. He helped me get my first job during very tough economic times. He will always have my gratitude. My condolences go out to the Spillers Family and I wish them all the strength at this tough time.
ReplyDeleteDr. Spillers was highly respected and loved by all his students, friends and colleagues. He had an extensive knowledge in the field of continuum mechanics and finite element methods.
ReplyDeleteBill was very supportive. Once I asked for a letter of recommendation to haunt a job, he wrote me a perfect one...and asked if I liked the letter! He was very down to earth...
Bill: Thank you for all you did for us, you may be gone but will never be forgotten.