Mr. D. Robert Yarnall received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania in 1901. In 1908, he established his own company which, during his lifetime, was an industry leader in the design and production of devices and systems used in the transformation of energy largely related to steam. Mr. Yarnall was also known for his commitment to serving others and for his humanitarian efforts. He gave freely of his time and skill to professional societies, educational institutions, civic affairs, and to his Quaker faith.
In his honor, the D. Robert Yarnall Award is presented annually by the Engineering Alumni Society to a distinguished member of Penn Engineering’s alumni for outstanding contribution to their field, either in public service, private industry and/or education. The award is made possible though a generous gift from James B. Yarnall, son of D. Robert Yarnall.
The recipients, to date, have been:
2025 Robert M. Stavis EAS’84 W’84
2024 Rajeev Misra ME’85 GEN’86
2023 Jeff Horing ENG’86 WG’86 PAR’19
2022 Dawn Porter Eringis CHE’85, WG’89
2021 Jonathan Brassington, GEN’97 WF’08
2020 Lloyd Howell, ENG’88
2019 Ofer Nemirovsky, EE’79 W’79 PAR’21
2018 Eduardo D. Glandt, Ph.D. GCH’75, GR’77
2017 Andrew Seidel CHE’84 WG’90
2016 Patrick T. Harker, CE ’81, GCE ’81, GR ’83
2015 Paul Angello, EE’72
2014 David Magerman BSE’90
2013 John R. Casani EE’55, Hon’92
2012 Richard D. Forman BSE ’87
2011 Hital R Meswani ENG’90 W’90
2010 Katherine Crothall EE ’71
2009 Walter Korn EE ’57 GEE ’58
2008 Robert G. Gallager EE ’53
2007 Krishna P. Singh MSE ’69
2006 Jack Keil Wolf EE’56
2005 Thomas A. V. Cassel, ME’68, GME’73, GR’79
2004 Suzanne Bushinsky Rowland, CHE’83
2003 George H. Heilmeier, EE’58
2002 Bernard V. Vonderschmitt, GEE’56
2001 Oliver C. Boileau, Jr. EE’51, GEE’53
2000 Bernard S. Baker CHE’57, GCH’59
1999 Michael D. Zisman GEE’73, GR’77
1997 William K. Gemmill ME’73, GME’74, WG’78
1994 Juan J. Amodei GEE’61, GRE’68
1993 Robert K. Raisler ME’26
1992 Leon Riebman EE’43, GRE’51
1991 Harry R. Halloran, Jr. CE’61
1990 Joseph Bordogna EE’55, GRE’64
1989 Richard H. Gabel ME’32
1988 Paul E. Wright GME’60
1987 John P. Mulroney CHE’57, GCH’59
1986 Howard H. Sheppard EE’32, GEE’33
1985 Kenneth A. Roe GME ’46
1984 Nathaniel C. Wyeth ME’36
1983 Serge Gratch CHE’46
1982 Harry J. Woll GRE’53 (EE)
1981 Richard A. Mulford ME’52, GME’57
1980 Russell P. Heuer, Jr. CHE’55,GCH’57
1979 Alfred R. Golze’ CE’30
1978 Walter J. Kinderman ME’25
1977 Adolph O. Schaefer CHE’22
1976 S. Reid Warren, Jr. EE’28, GRE’37
1975 Raymond L. Smith GR’53 (MSE)
1974 Robert E. Derby ME’38,GME’49
1973 J. Presper Eckert, Jr. EE’41,GEE’43,HON’64
1972 Robert D. Bent CHE’35
1971 Carl C. Chambers GRE’34
1970 Houston R. Paxson EE’23
1969 Sarkes Tarzian EE’24, GEE’27, HON’74
1968 Francis G. Tatnall ME’18