Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene

Maj. Gen. Harold J. Greene, a USC Viterbi School of Engineering alumnus with three degrees from the university, died in the line of duty in Kabul, Afghanistan, in August. He was the highest-ranking soldier lost in the line of duty since the Vietnam War.

Greene, M.S. ’89 in materials science, M.S. ’90 in mechanical engineering, Ph.D. ’92, also in mechanical engineering, was in Afghanistan helping the local army develop better ways to acquire and provide resources for troops, according to USA Today.

“General Greene served our country with honor and distinction. He served with unparalleled dedication and offered the highest sacrifice, his own life,” said Yannis C. Yortsos, dean of USC Viterbi. “We are honored and proud to count him as our own. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Florian Mansfeld, now a professor emeritus of materials science, served as Greene’s academic adviser at USC. He remembers a warm student, a bit older than his classmates, but friendly with everyone.

“Everybody liked him. He had a great sense of humor,” Mansfeld said. “He worked very fast and was always willing to help the other students.”

After leaving USC, Greene’s expertise in airframe materials translated to a job helping the Army investigate helicopter crashes. Having developed a strong bond, Greene hired Mansfeld as a consultant, and they worked together to improve the safety of helicopters by understanding what causes failures. From there, he rose through the ranks of the Army, ultimately earning promotion to two-star general in 2012.

In his more than 30 years with the Army, Greene earned numerous commendations and awards, including the Distinguished Service Medal.

Greene was deployed to Afghanistan for the first time in 2014.

Alberto Behar

Alberto Behar, a USC Viterbi alumnus and NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory scientist who worked on the Mars Curiosity Rover expedition, died Jan. 9, when the single-engine plane he piloted crashed shortly after takeoff from Van Nuys Airport. Behar was 47.

Behar earned his M.S. in computer science in 1994 and his Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1998. Professor Emeritus George Bekey mentored him during his time here.

“I will always remember his intense dedication to field robotics, particularly space robotics,” said Professor Gaurav Sukhatme, chair of the computer science department. Behar and Sukhatme were both Ph.D. students in Bekey’s group in the 1990s.

At JPL and at Arizona State University, Behar developed robotic instruments that investigated Antarctic lakes and volcanoes and helped determine that Mars’ surface once had water, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Marvin Stone

Marvin Stone, a former TRW executive and USC Viterbi alumnus with three degrees in engineering (B.S. ’62, M.S. ’65 and Ph.D. ’69), died in September. The 45-year Rancho Palos Verdes, California, resident was 74.

During his long and distinguished career, Stone played an integral role in the development of sophisticated electronics technologies for the nation’s defense systems. He eventually rose to become general manager of TRW’s Electronics and Technology Division. In recognition of his many contributions, NASA awarded Stone a Certificate of Recognition for Creative Development of Technology.

After his successful three-decade career at TRW, he became an adjunct professor at USC Viterbi. teaching about communication systems.

A passionate Trojan, Stone in 1996 received a USC School of Engineering Distinguished Alumni Award. Soon thereafter, he and his wife, USC alumna Ann Pyenson Stone, created an annual scholarship for talented engineering students. Two of the Stones’ three sons, Gary and Jeffrey, earned degrees from USC.

Ann Stone, his beloved wife of 51 years; sons Gary, Jeffrey and Jonathan; and his sister Janet Goldberg survive Stone.

Clarence Oliver Hill

Clarence Oliver Hill, a former assistant secretary of defense military aide, has died. Hill, who earned a master’s degree from USC Viterbi in aerospace operations management in 1970, was 83.

A West Virginia native, Hill joined the U.S. Army to specialize in artillery, air defense, intelligence and nuclear weapons. His Army career included tours in Korea and Vietnam.

In 1974, Hill retired from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after serving as the military aide to the assistant secretary of defense for atomic energy at the Pentagon.

Hill received several awards for his distinguishing military career. He earned the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, and the Joint Service Commendation Medal to name a few.

Hill was a USC football season ticketholder for more than 35 years.

Richard Mellen Longmire

Richard Mellen Longmire, M.S. ’60 in electrical engineering, an expert in military command and control systems, has died. He was 84.

During his distinguished career, Longmire served as vice president of the private industry PRC Systems Sciences Co. His responsibilities involved chairing a worldwide conference on tactical data systems and managing research on military command and control systems.

Longmire graduated from Ohio State University in 1952 with a B.S. in engineering physics. He later earned his master’s degree from USC.

After his studies, Longmire worked on atomic, biological and chemical warfare defense as a U.S. Naval Civil Engineer Corps officer.

Longmire’s passion for engineering was limitless. He served as associate administrator of the U.S. Social and Rehabilitation Service for planning, research, training and legislation. At the Environmental Protection Agency and at the Administration for Native Americans, he helped develop national environmental programs.

In recognition of his work, Longmire was selected to be a Sequoyah Fellow by the American Indian and Science and Engineering Society in 1995.

Mamoru “Mo” Kanda

Mamoru “Mo” Kanda, B.S. ’53, M.S. ’59 in civil engineering, and charter member of David M. Wilson Affiliates, passed away in August.

Interned at the Amache Relocation Camp early in World War II, he later served honorably in the US Army for the duration of the conflict.

A successful structural engineer for over 60 years, Kanda cofounded the engineering consulting firm Kanda & Tso Associates in 1990. Like his late partner, Leslie Tso is a USC Viterbi alumnus, B.S. ’81 in civil engineering.

David M. Wilson Affiliates serves as the alumni and friends support group for the Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The affiliates provide undergraduate and graduate scholarships to honor beloved Professor Wilson’s legacy.