Disney, Jr., Ralph Lynde

Ralph Lynde Disney, Jr., Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering at Texas A & M University died on November 11th, 2014. Disney was a world leader in queueing theory a branch of applied probability and stochastic processes mathematics.

He authored or co-authored over 70 research articles, 3 books and numerous chapters in compendia in his field. Most of this work was sponsored by either the National Science Foundation or the Office of Naval Research. He was a prolific reviewer of articles both pre- and post-publication, including over 150 reviews for the Mathematics Reviews. He advised and mentored over 20 doctoral students from around the world and in different academic disciplines.

Disney earned many honors for his work including the David Baker Award and the Albert Holzman Award for teaching, research and other contributions to his field. He was named as the recipient of the Frank and Lillian Gilbreath Award, the highest honor bestowed on any Industrial Engineer, for his many contributions to IIE, in 1996. He served on the Council of INFORMS and was a Fellow of that society as well as the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). In 1999, Dr. Disney was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering and his biography first appeared in Who’s Who in America.

In 1996, he and Lois retired to Blacksburg, Virginia where they had many friends. In 2006 they moved to Warm Hearth Village, a retirement community in Blacksburg. In 1998 they became snow birds, spending their winters in Fort Myers, Florida, a place he was fond of. Ralph and Lois lived together happily for 53 years until Lois’ death in 2007.

He is survived by his Sister, Patricia Piazza of Baltimore, Maryland, daughters Dr. Lynn D. Disney (m. Rolf K. Taylor) of Annandale, Virginia, and Ms. Carrie M. Disney (m. Mark R. Stangl) of Ann Arbor, Michigan, one granddaughter Tiffany D. Miatech, five grandsons: Maxwell A. Miller, Patrick T. Miller, Spencer K. Miller, John (“Jack”) E. Sivinski, Keith J. Sivinski and one great-granddaughter, Lilliana A. Miller. His son, Edward Charles Disney was murdered in Blacksburg, Virginia in 1979.

Disney has asked in lieu of flowers that donations go to the Johns Hopkins University, Whiting School of Engineering, Rob Roy Fund. In honor of a man who converted a kid into a scholar. Phone: 410-516-8723.