Warren Oliver

[Jim Johns]

Jerry Black called me this morning and reported that long time SPA member Warren Oliver of Knoxville, TN passed way after church on Sunday, July 5, 2026 of a massive heart attack. He will be missed by all who knew him. 

Please lift his family up in prayer during this difficult time. 

Jim Johns, Secretary

Sent from my iPhone

[S. Anderson]

Here is a photo from Knoxville contest. I just saw him and we judged a round together.

He will be missed.

Scott Anderson 

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[Eric Nessler]

Oh my, very sorry to hear this.  Condolences to his family and friends.  He was a great guy.

On Jul 6, 2026, at 10:50 AM, Jim Johns <tr2...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Jim Johns]

Thanks for the photo, Scott. I’ll post it on the home page. 

Jim

Sent from my iPhone

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[John Nessler]

Sorry to hear of Warren’s passing. 

I have lots of good memories flying with him over the years. 

He was a great guy!

Sent from my iPhone

[Jamie Strong]

THATS TERRIBLE!!! 

 Just spent 3 days with Warren at the Knoxville contest 10 days ago, and as Always, we have good time sharing time and life together. 

 Warren was Always a kind gentle person that you’d just fall in Love with as soon as you met him!! He leaves a legacy of Love for People and Family. The Ben Oliver Contest was named for honoring his Dad for many, many years now there in Knoxville. 

 Just Loved the Guy!!

 Still can’t believe this news, breaks my heart. 

  Think all of us are old enough to know that our book is closing, and our chapter's being written are wrapping up. 

 Sad Day for our SPA. 

 

Jamie

Prattville, Alabama

On Jul 6, 2026, at 9:50 AM, Jim Johns <tr2...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Gordon Talbot]

Would be interested in funeral arrangements, if you hear of any.

R/ Gordon

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[Duane Wilson]

Heard about his passing this morning. Having just spent a long weekend in Knoxville, going out to eat Saturday etc, it’s hard to take in. Have known Warren for years and he was always a great guy.

Duane Wilson 

On Jul 6, 2026, at 12:07 PM, Gordon Talbot <talb...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Ellis Newkirk]

Been close friends with Warren since high school. The world has lost a giant of a man among us. His intellect and professional achievements are unsurpassed. Yet he treated everyone with kindness, patience, and compassion. There is much more to be said, but for now I am stunned, hoping to wake up. Prayers for Cheryl, Sam, Clancy, and Chelsea. This came without warning. 

Ellis

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From: 'Duane Wilson' via The Senior Pattern Association <SPAme...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Monday, July 6, 2026 11:10 AM
To: SPAme...@googlegroups.com <SPAme...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: SPAme...@googlegroups.com <SPAme...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: [SPA] Warren Oliver

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[Scott Sappington]

Totally shocked by this news. Prayers for all affected.

Scott

Sent from my iPhone

On Jul 6, 2026, at 3:07 PM, Ellis Newkirk <flyrac...@gmail.com> wrote:



To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/SPAmembers/MN2PR18MB3245E83C0C6023C2D25B53D5FCF12%40MN2PR18MB3245.namprd18.prod.outlook.com.

[Jimmy Russell]

It is shocking!  I saw and talked with him at the field yesterday morning.   He was an amazing friend and flying at KCRC won't be the same without him.

Here is the email I'm sending to KCRC with his arrangements.

"

Hello all, as you may or may not know Warren Oliver passed away yesterday.  Warren was a past president and staple member of KCRC for decades.  He will be greatly missed. 

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.  We truly lost a wonderful man. 

His services will be held July 18th, 12pm at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919

We will be postponing the Phil Cope Fun Fly that was scheduled for the 18th.

We want everyone to come out to the field the Sunday July 19th 9am the day after the service and let's have a great day and fly our models to celebrate the life of Warren!

Jimmy"

[Ellis Newkirk]

Warren's son Sam wanted this shared with his flying buddies.  

A link to share your memories with his family at https://www.legacy.com/legacy/warren-oliver

Warren Carl Oliver, 70, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly on July 5, 2026, at his home near Knoxville, Tennessee. Born on November 6, 1955, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Mary and Ben Oliver, Warren lived a life marked by intellectual curiosity, a passion for invention and innovation, and a deep love for his family and friends.

After his years at Bearden High School, Warren earned his Bachelor of Science degree at University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in the Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, where his father was a professor. While studying there, he met Cheryl, who took a liking to Warren’s quick wit and sense of humor.

Warren’s academic journey continued at Stanford University during his PhD in materials science and engineering, where he and Cheryl made many new friends. Before finishing his PhD, Warren and Cheryl got married on July 7, 1979 in Kingsport, Tennessee. Following his graduate studies, the couple moved to Switzerland where Warren pursued postdoctoral research. After moving back to Knoxville, Warren worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a decade.

In a pivotal moment of Warren’s career, he revisited his postdoctoral research and founded Nano Instruments Inc. out of his brother Dan’s garage. His innovation and collaboration pioneered advancements in a groundbreaking technique for testing the mechanical properties of materials at a nanoscale, known as nanoindentation, which led the company to grow and succeed. After further success in the following years, he decided to sell the company and continue working within it. Warren eventually cofounded a new company, Nanomechanics Inc., where his work led to new frontiers of innovation. His career and research earned him recognition as a member of the prestigious National Academy of Engineering. Warren also became joint faculty in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering as an adjunct professor, and he served on the department’s Board of Advisors.

Beyond his professional achievements, Warren was known for his collaborative spirit and mentorship. He formed lasting friendships with colleagues and mentees alike, leaving an indelible mark on those who had the privilege of working alongside him.

Warren’s family life was equally rich and fulfilling. He shared a loving marriage with his wife Cheryl and was a devoted father to his children Sam, Chelsea, and Clancy. He is also survived by his brother Dan and sister Valia. Preceding him in death were his parents, Mary and Ben Oliver.

From an early age, Warren exhibited a creative and inventive spirit carrying him through all aspects of his life. As a young man, he liked to go hang gliding—a testament of his adventurous nature. A lifelong enthusiast of building and flying remote control model airplanes, he was an active member of the Knox County Radio Control (KCRC) Society. Warren also found joy in fishing and recreation outdoors with loved ones. Whether crafting a model, cooking quality meals, or traveling somewhere new, he cherished his time with friends and family.

Warren’s legacy is one of encouragement, creativity, and unwavering support for those he cared about most. His memory will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew him.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make donations in Warren’s name to UNICEF or a charity of your choice. May his memory bring comfort to all who mourn his passing. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 18, 2026, at noon in the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 2931 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN.

[Duane Wilson]

A wonderful tribute.

On Jul 10, 2026, at 8:33 AM, Ellis Newkirk <flyrac...@gmail.com> wrote:



Warren's son Sam wanted this shared with his flying buddies.  

A link to share your memories with his family at https://www.legacy.com/legacy/warren-oliver

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