Murray Irwin Mantell's Obituary
OBITUARY
MURRAY I. MANTELL
SEPTEMBER 6, 1917 - FEBRUARY 9, 2020
Dr. Murray I. Mantell, 102 years old, of 5900 S.W. 84th Avenue, Miami, Florida passed away on February 9, 2020. He was born in New York City on September 6, 1917 and attended the University of Miami from 1935 to 1938 as a physics major and subsequently transferred to the University of Florida where he earned a BS in mechanical engineering and a Master of Engineering degree. Additionally, he held a diploma in naval architecture from The Citadel, an MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Southern California, and a PhD from the University of Texas. He was married to his beloved wife, Rose Tern Mantell for 67 years. Dr. Mantell is survived by his four children Melodie Berdoll, Andrea Mantell Seidel, Tobi Mansfield, and John H. Mantell; grandchildren Mia Lamm, Brett Berdoll, Nicole Moody, David Seidel, and Merina Seidel; great grandchildren, Mariah Lamm, Jordana Lamm, Dalton Moody, and Dakota Moody and sisters Gloria Mantell Pallot, Coral Gables and Sally Raylesberg of Pennslyvania. Dr. Murray I. Mantell was a beloved University of Miami Professor Emeritus and founding Chair of the Department of Civil Engineering and Miami Beach pioneer. Working alongside his father, John Mantell in their firm, Dr. Mantell built many of the famous Art Deco hotels and homes in the 1920s designed by architect Henry Hohauser. In addition to his 57 year career at UM, Dr. Mantell was a renowned community activist, environmentalist, and leader in many civic and professional organizations, serving on a number of national, city and county boards and committees, including the Dade County Quality Education Committee, Dade County Water and Sewer Board, past chapter President of four professional engineering societies and in his late 80s and early 90’s was elected to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency and served as Vice Chairman. His first textbook, published in l955, was adopted by over 200 universities and community colleges. In l964, he authored the first textbook related to engineering ethics. Additionally, he was the recipient of a national award for outstanding teaching and a British Admiralty Commendation for engineering achievement during World War II, among numerous other accomplishments. A “Celebration of Life” will be held at the University of Miami (UM) Hillel House on Saturday, March 14, 2020 at 11:00 am. Hillel House is located at 1100 Stanford Drive Coral Gables, Fl 33146 on UM campus. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Murray I. Mantell University of Miami School of Engineering Endowed Scholarship. Online: Miami.edu/murray-mantell. By check: Payable to the University of Miami Advancement Division Box 248073, Coral Gables, FL 33124. Write on memo line: Murray I. Mantell Endowed Scholarship.
Contact: Dr. Andrea M. Seidel, 786 351 71 92 for further information
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