Ralph G. Anderson
Encyclopedia
Ralph G. Anderson was an engineer, farmer, and the founder of Belcan
, one of America's largest engineering
firms. He was also an well-known philanthropist
.
in 1923. He served as a B-29 Flight Engineer in the United States Air Force
during World War II
. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
from the University of Kentucky
in 1950.
, General Motors
, and the Kett Corporation. He founded Belcan
, an engineering services corporation, in October of 1958.
, and provided a scholarship for engineering students at the University of Cincinnati
.
Belcan
Belcan Corporation is an engineering consulting firm headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Belcan has employees in ~70 locations around the world, serving a wide range of industries, with sales over $500 million. It is among the top five largest engineering firms in the United States.-History:Belcan...
, one of America's largest engineering
Engineering
Engineering is the discipline, art, skill and profession of acquiring and applying scientific, mathematical, economic, social, and practical knowledge, in order to design and build structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes that safely realize improvements to the lives of...
firms. He was also an well-known philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
.
Early life and education
Anderson was born in Harrodsburg, KentuckyHarrodsburg, Kentucky
Harrodsburg is a city in and the county seat of Mercer County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,014 at the 2000 census. It is the oldest city in Kentucky.-History:...
in 1923. He served as a B-29 Flight Engineer in the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He earned a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
from the University of Kentucky
University of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
in 1950.
Professional Life
After earning his degree, Anderson began work as an engineer for General ElectricGeneral Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
, General Motors
General Motors
General Motors Company , commonly known as GM, formerly incorporated as General Motors Corporation, is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan and the world's second-largest automaker in 2010...
, and the Kett Corporation. He founded Belcan
Belcan
Belcan Corporation is an engineering consulting firm headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Belcan has employees in ~70 locations around the world, serving a wide range of industries, with sales over $500 million. It is among the top five largest engineering firms in the United States.-History:Belcan...
, an engineering services corporation, in October of 1958.
Personal Life
Ruth and Ralph Anderson had one daughter, Candace McCaw of Cincinnati. They had three grandchildren. When away from Belcan, Anderson spent much of his time curating Anderson Circle Farm, an Angus cattle farm in Mercer County, Kentucky.Philanthropy
Anderson was an ardent supporter of engineering education. In addition to donating funds for the Ralph G. Anderson Mechanical Engineering Building at the University of Kentucky, he was also a perennial sponsor of the University of Kentucky Solar Car TeamUniversity of Kentucky Solar Car Team
The University of Kentucky Solar Car Team is an independent, student-led project that operates as part of the University of Kentucky College of Engineering. In 2008, the Solar Car Team completed its first North American Solar Challenge, finishing 11th of 15 teams in the 2400 mile race from Plano,...
, and provided a scholarship for engineering students at the University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
.
External links
- http://www.belcan.com/about/19-points Ralph G. Anderson's 19 Points