Donald M. Bolle

Donald M. Bolle, 84 of Coopersburg, died Tuesday, October 24, 2017 at his home. He was born March, 30, 1933 in Amsterdam, Netherlands; son of Maartin C. and Petronilla M. J. (Kramer) Bolle. Donald was the husband of 54 years to the late Barbara J. (Girton) Bolle.

Don received a bachelors degree with honors in electrical engineering from Kings College, Durham University, England, and a Ph.D in electrical engineering from Purdue University. In 1954-55 he was a research engineer with Electrical Musical Instruments, Middlesex, England. He taught at Purdue from 1956 until 1962. He spent the academic year 1962-63 in the department of applied mathematics and theoretical physics at Cambridge University, England as a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow. He joined the faculty of Brown University in 1963, where he was professor of engineering until 1980. In the fall of 1980 he became chairman of the department of electrical engineering at Lehigh University and was named Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Lehigh the following year. From 1988-1999 he served as Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at The Polytechnic University, Brooklyn, New York. In 1999 he returned to Lehigh where he served as Interim Vice Provost for Information Resources, Adjunct Professor, and Interim Chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering until 2005.

He was a long-time member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) where he received the IEEE Centennial Medal in 1984, the 1987 IEEE Council on Oceanic Engineering Distinguished Services Award, was elected IEEE Fellow in 1987, and received the IEEE Millennium Medal in 2000. He served as a member of the IEEE Transnational Committee and chairman of the Technical Activities Board Long Range Planning Committee. He was the founding editor and former editor in chief of the IEEE Transactions on Ocean Engineering.

Don was an avid golfer as a member of Saucon Valley Country Club for 36 years. He also enjoyed water color painting and wood worker.

Donald is lovingly remembered by his sons, Alan M., Thomas R., John K., and Niels A. and daughter-in-law Kate Nelson; and granddaughters, Elodie and Ariette.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Connell Funeral Home, Bethlehem. All services will be private and held at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Wildlands Conservancy, 3701 Orchid Place, Emmaus, PA 18049.

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