News

Lyle Feisel, Ph.D.
MEMBER GRADE: Life Fellow

As a member of both the American Institute of Electrical Engineers (AIEE) and The Institute of Radio Engineers (IRE) – parent organizations which ultimately evolved into IEEE in 1963 — Dr. Lyle Feisel has enjoyed the benefits of his IEEE affiliation for more than 60 years.

“The student branch gave us opportunities to socialize with faculty and other students and gain insight into the actual practice of engineering, and the networking and technical information I received were so helpful,” he said. “The camaraderie and friendships that developed over the years are some of my fondest memories of being an IEEE member.”

Dr. Feisel attributes his decision to donate to such IEEE initiatives as the IEEE Foundation Fund, IEEE History Center Fund, IEEE Life Members Fund, and IEEE Eta Kappa Nu Fund to “the recognition that there are many needs out there and that our contributions can help meet them,” he said. “My wife and I have also included the IEEE Foundation in our estate plan because you can’t take it with you, so why not have it used for something you believe in? The IEEE Foundation is a very efficient and effective charity that will make good use of any bequest.”

“The critical function of the IEEE Foundation – or any charity — is that it lets you help accomplish a goal that you could never achieve by yourself,” Dr. Feisel explained. “Acting alone, we could never put a girl through high school in Guatemala, teach a class in New Jersey about the history of engineering, illuminate a light bulb in Haiti, or take a kid for a ride on a replica sailing ship. By giving to the IEEE Foundation and other charities,” he said, “we’re able to help do all of those things.”