Philip L. Brach, UDC Professor And Dean, 73, Washington Post
DGH
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/20/AR2009122002154.html
December 21, 2009
Philip L. Brach UDC Dean, Professor
Philip L. Brach, 73, a civil engineering professor emeritus at the
University of the District of Columbia, where he had been dean of the
College of Physical Science, Engineering and Technology, died Dec. 7 [2009]
at Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring. He had prostate cancer.
Dr. Brach taught engineering at Catholic University and Northern Virginia
Community College before joining the faculty of Washington Technical
Institute in 1968. The institute merged with other schools in 1977 to form
UDC, and he spent the next 16 years as a dean. He continued to teach at the
school until retiring in 2004.
Over the years, he helped develop programs to promote minority participation
in science, engineering and technology careers and research. For more than
20 years, he ran the D.C. chapter of Mathcounts, a national math scholarship
competition for middle school students. He was a judge of the D.C. Science
Fair for 10 years.
He wrote on engineering and engineering education and was a member of
several professional organizations.
Philip Louis Brach was born in New York and was a 1958 graduate of Manhattan
College. He received a master's degree in civil engineering in 1960 from
Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pa., and a doctorate in civil engineering
from Catholic University in 1969.
He was a District resident, and his memberships included the Shrine of the
Most Blessed Sacrament in Washington and the Knights of Columbus.
While wearing a Cat in the Hat costume, he read in character to kindergarten
classes to promote literacy. He enjoyed playing the trombone.
A son, Joseph Brach, died in infancy.
Survivors include his wife of 49 years, Margaret Turro Brach of Washington;
six children, Ann Brach, Philip Brach Jr. and Martha Brach, all of
Washington, Elizabeth Hughes of the Alexandria section of Fairfax County,
Lucia Hare of Knoxville, Tenn., and Matthew Brach of Phoenixville, Pa.; a
brother; a sister; and 14 grandchildren.
--
Adam Bernstein