The Altshuller Institute laments the loss of colleague and professor, Evgeny (Eugene) Rivin, who died after a long struggle with serious illness on June 6, 2011 at the age of 78.

Professor Rivin taught in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State since 1981 and was the longtime director of the college's Machine Tool Research laboratory."

The Altshuller Institute laments the loss of colleague and professor, Evgeny (Eugene) Rivin, who died after a long struggle with serious illness on June 6, 2011 at the age of 78.

 Professor Rivin taught in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State since 1981 and was the longtime director of the college's Machine Tool Research laboratory.


With Victory Fey and Igor Vertkin, he introduced the first University course in TRIZ in the United State in 1993.  He also co-authored with Victor Fey, the TRIZ books “Innovation on Demand” and “The Science of Innovation.”  He was co-principal and co-founder of the TRIZ Group that provides TRIZ training and methodology for problem solving and technological forecasting.  Eugene was active in the founding of the Altshuller Institute.  He was a Fellow of ASME and SME and an active member of CIRP.  He held over 60 patents and authored more than 160 papers and 15 books.


His primary skills and interests were in the fields of problem analysis, definition, and solving using TRIZ methodology, Research and Development, and the implementation of R&D results. His extensive career provided him with experience in the areas of Machine Tools, Manufacturing Engineering, Robotics, Structural Dynamics/Rigidity, Vibration/Noise Control, Mechanical Design/Advanced Machine Elements, Dynamics of Rotating Systems, Rubber in Machine Design, and Standardization.

 



“Professor Rivin will always remain in our thoughts and prayers,” says Walter Bryzik, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Wayne State University. “He was a great educator and innovator, and his immense legacy to the ME Department will always be remembered with great respect.”



 

The funeral was be held on 10 June at the Ira Kaufman Chapel in Southfield, Mich. Professor Rivin's family suggests that any donations given in his memory should go to the giving individual's favorite charity in the name of Professor Rivin.



 

Professor Rivin is survived by children Dr. Igor (Julia) Rivin and Natalia Mayer, grandchild Raphael Rivin, companion Annikki Kurvi and Irina Rivin.