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Robert Carl Stempel was a
‘car guy’ in positions normally reserved for accounting, management and finance
majors. A mechanical engineer educated at Worcester Polytechnic Institute with
an MBA from Michigan State University, Robert’s career accomplishments include
developing the front wheel drive Oldsmobile Toronado, creating the first
catalytic converter and serving as Chairman and CEO of General Motors (GM).
Born in New Jersey in 1933,
Mr. Stempel became General Manager of the Pontiac Division in 1980 and Managing
Director of German GM subsidiary Adam Opel AG shortly after. Returning to
Detroit in 1982, he served as General Manager of Chevrolet and
Buick-Olds-Cadillac in 1984. Elected to the Board of Directors in 1986, Mr.
Stempel ascended to the Chairmanship at the onset of the Persian Gulf War in
1990. The following recession forced GM to close plants and lose market share
to imports. Robert Stempel was forced out by the Board in 1992.
An early advocate of
electric powered autos, bicycles and scooters, Stempel oversaw development of
the Sunraycer, winner of the first World Solar Challenge race in 1987. Robert
continued his work on electric autos in his role as Chairman of Energy
Conversion Devices. Most recently Mr. Stempel was working on a project to produce
solar panels at half the cost of those available today.
Honorary Chair of the 2009
IEEE Vehicle Power and Propulsion Conference, Robert was the recipient of the
VTS President’s Medal that year. Robert championed
the EV1 electric vehicle while at General Motors which would have been the
first modern-day mass-produced electric vehicle if not for the projects cancellation.
Remembered as a nice guy who put engineering first, Mr. Stempel is survived by
his wife and three adult children. Robert Stempel lived to be 77 years old.
Sources:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704681904576315561118103074.html?mod=googlenews_wsj
http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110509/carnews/110509832
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/business/11stempel.html
Photo Credit:
http://gmauthority.com/blog/2011/05/former-gm-ceo-robert-stempel-dies-at-77/
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