Earl Randall Parker (November 22, 1912 — May 9, 1998) was an American engineer and professor. Parker began hismetallurgy career in the mid 1930s as a researcher for theGeneral Electric Research Laboratory. In the mid 1940s, Parker began teaching metallurgy at theUniversity of California, Berkeley and remained in his teaching position until 1978. While at Berkeley, Parker was chair of thematerial sciences department and director of engineering research between the 1950s and 1960s. For awards, Parker received aGuggenheim Fellowship in 1960 and was named aNational Medal of Science recipient in 1979.
On November 22, 1912, Parker was born inDenver, Colorado. For his post-secondary education, Parker graduated from theColorado School of Mines with ametallurgy degree in 1935.[1]
After graduating, Parker was a metallurgy researcher at theGeneral Electric Research Laboratory from 1935 to 1944.[2] During this time period, Parker conducted research on copper, silver and steel to determine theirmechanical properties. In 1944, Parker studiedLiberty ships at theUniversity of California, Berkeley to determine the cause of their damages.[3] During the mid-1940s, Parker began teaching metallurgy at Berkeley as anassociate professor before being promoted toprofessor in 1949.[4] Parker remained at Berkeley as a professor until his retirement in 1978 and held the position ofprofessor emeritus from 1978 to 1988.[5] Apart from academics, Parker was the chair of thematerial sciences department for Berkeley from 1953 to 1957. After directing Berkeley's school of engineering research between 1957 and 1964, Parker returned to his chair position with the material sciences department for two additional years.[6]
In 1960, Parker was awarded aGuggenheim Fellowship in engineering.[7] In 1979, Parker was named a recipient of theNational Medal of Science.[8]
Parker died on May 9, 1998, inSacramento, California. He was married and had two children.[9]
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