11/14/2022 2 min read
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Edward M. Caulfield, 73, of Naperville, IL, and Waterford, WI, passed away on Sunday, November 6, 2022. He was born in Oak Park, IL, on August 9, 1949, to Lucille nee Kloth and Edward F Caulfield. Husband of Pam Caulfield who he married on February 15, 1989. Loving father of Kyle (Cathryn) Caulfield, Mike (Megan) Caulfield, and Brian (Tori) Caulfield. Adoring grandfather of Danny, Jacob, and Charlie.
Caulfield grew up in the Chicago area. A three-time University of Illinois alumnus, he earned his bachelor’s in mechanical engineering and MS and PhD in theoretical and applied mechanics. The U of I was a very big part of his life, and in 2009 he received the Alumni Award for Distinguished Service. He later moved to Naperville, IL, where he worked as a mechanical engineer, eventually going on to start his own company, Caulfield Engineering.
Caulfield was an ardent and long-time philanthropic supporter of the University of Illinois, and he frequently served as a guest lecturer for classes in MechSE. Among his recognitions are the J. O. Smith Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching; the Campus Award for Undergraduate Teaching; the first TAM Distinguished Alumni Award for Technical Accomplishments; MechSE Distinguished Alumni Award in 2000; and the College of Engineering Alumni Award for Distinguished Service in 2009 “for outstanding application of knowledge and research in solving engineering problems in industry, government, law, and other venues.”
In 2015, in honor of his longtime mentor, Professor Robert E. Miller, Caulfield established the Robert Miller Scholarship to honor Miller’s excellent work with students over several decades.