About Bernard Sarchet

Bernard (Bernie) R. Sarchet joined the UMR faculty in 1967, as professor and founding chair of the Engineering Management Department. Over the next 33 years the department was never far from his attention or his heart. Before retiring as chair in 1981, he had assembled an outstanding faculty and secured approval for a PhD program in engineering management. Bernie was also founding member and first national president of the American Society for Engineering Management. In 1986, Bernie and his wife, Le, established two scholarship funds to support engineering management students at UMR. In 1992, ASEM established an award in his name.

Even after retiring from the chairmanship in 1981, Bernie continued his work on behalf of the department and of the University. He assisted in raising funds for the Engineering Management Building, helped develop the UMR Order of the Golden Shillelagh, and spearheaded the development of the Video Communications Center at UMR, which led to membership in the National Technological University, a consortium of universities that provide distance learning via satellite.

In 1998, Bernie was listed in the reference book “Outstanding People of the 20th Century” in recognition of his leadership and accomplishments in higher education and in Industry. Some of Bernie’s honors include an Alumni Merit Award from the MSM-UMR Alumni Association and a special plaque from NTU for his work in helping NTU become a pioneer in video-based engineering education. He also was referenced in “American Men and Women of Science,” “Who’s Who in America,” “Who’s Who in Engineering,” “Who’s Who in American Education,” and in numerous other reference works. Bernie Sarchet passed away on February 26, 2000, and his wife, Le, in August of 2002. Their three daughters, Renee E. Erickson, Dawne E. Sarchet, and Melanie A. Koewing, remain deeply grateful to both of them for the devotion and commitment with which they lived their lives.