Obituary for Irving Toivo Salmeen
Irving “Irv” Salmeen 5/28/41- 3/9/21, Ann Arbor MI.
Dr. Irving “Irv” Salmeen, of Ann Arbor, MI, died on March 9th, 2021 of glioblastoma. He was home, comfortable and with his family - as he wished.
Irv was born and raised in Iron Mountain, MI. He loved books as a child and developed a deep sense of curiosity that led him to the University of Michigan where he studied Engineering Math and Engineering Physics. He went on to earn a PhD in Biophysics. As a graduate student, he met Trudy, who became his wife of nearly 53 years. After a brief post-doctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley, Irv and Trudy returned to Michigan and Irv began a thirty-six year career at Ford Motor Company. His initial focus at Ford was on biophysics, but he later became involved in research on environmental science and sustainable mobility. He managed the Chemistry Department at Ford and founded a new Systems Analytics Department which he managed until his retirement in 2006. After retiring from Ford, Irv launched a second career at the University of Michigan. He developed and taught a class on Social Systems and Energy, was a research scientist in the U-M Center for the Study of Complex Systems and Associate Director of the Ford School’s Science, Technology and Public Policy program.
While science was Irv’s primary passion and occupation, he was also a pianist, an artist and a writer with a deep appreciation for music, art, history and literature. It was difficult to find a topic about which he was not knowledgeable.
Irv was a devoted father and husband. Always present for nightly family dinners, Irv inspired his family to value education, hard work and curiosity. He provided limitless support for his daughters in their educational, athletic, musical and ultimately professional pursuits initially as children, and continuing into their adulthoods until his passing.
Irv is survived by his wife, Trudy; daughters, Annette and Kirsten (Terry Platchek); and grandson, Theodore Platchek. He was preceded in death by his parents, Toivo and Alli; and his sister, Linnea. He will be remembered by friends and family for his inspiring intellectual energy, his witty sense of humor and his devotion to educating, encouraging and supporting those around him.
A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date.
Contributions in his honor can be made to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF), with "Community Scholarship -- Salmeen" in the memo line. 301 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Ann Arbor MI 48104. Online gifts can be made at aaacf.org/CSP.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Irving.
Dr. Irving “Irv” Salmeen, of Ann Arbor, MI, died on March 9th, 2021 of glioblastoma. He was home, comfortable and with his family - as he wished.
Irv was born and raised in Iron Mountain, MI. He loved books as a child and developed a deep sense of curiosity that led him to the University of Michigan where he studied Engineering Math and Engineering Physics. He went on to earn a PhD in Biophysics. As a graduate student, he met Trudy, who became his wife of nearly 53 years. After a brief post-doctoral fellowship at UC Berkeley, Irv and Trudy returned to Michigan and Irv began a thirty-six year career at Ford Motor Company. His initial focus at Ford was on biophysics, but he later became involved in research on environmental science and sustainable mobility. He managed the Chemistry Department at Ford and founded a new Systems Analytics Department which he managed until his retirement in 2006. After retiring from Ford, Irv launched a second career at the University of Michigan. He developed and taught a class on Social Systems and Energy, was a research scientist in the U-M Center for the Study of Complex Systems and Associate Director of the Ford School’s Science, Technology and Public Policy program.
While science was Irv’s primary passion and occupation, he was also a pianist, an artist and a writer with a deep appreciation for music, art, history and literature. It was difficult to find a topic about which he was not knowledgeable.
Irv was a devoted father and husband. Always present for nightly family dinners, Irv inspired his family to value education, hard work and curiosity. He provided limitless support for his daughters in their educational, athletic, musical and ultimately professional pursuits initially as children, and continuing into their adulthoods until his passing.
Irv is survived by his wife, Trudy; daughters, Annette and Kirsten (Terry Platchek); and grandson, Theodore Platchek. He was preceded in death by his parents, Toivo and Alli; and his sister, Linnea. He will be remembered by friends and family for his inspiring intellectual energy, his witty sense of humor and his devotion to educating, encouraging and supporting those around him.
A celebration of his life will be planned at a later date.
Contributions in his honor can be made to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF), with "Community Scholarship -- Salmeen" in the memo line. 301 N. Main Street, Suite 300, Ann Arbor MI 48104. Online gifts can be made at aaacf.org/CSP.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Irving.