Professor Roger Owen

Professor Roger Owen, a former member of the NAFEMS Council of Management, passed away on January 13th 2020 after a long illness, aged 77. He was a Research Professor at Swansea University College of Engineering and a leading figure in the world of Finite Element and Discrete Element techniques.

NAFEMS had the privilege of having Professor Owen as one of the two signatories on the original Articles of Association in 1992 when the organisation became a Non-profit and constituted its first ever Council of Management, a council that Roger sat on for the following 10 years until 2002.

During those 10 years he was part of a council that oversaw a period of massive expansion which saw the organisation grow from a small UK government-funded national body to a highly regarded, independent international organisation. In particular, he was involved in setting up the Non-Linear Working Group (now part of the CSMWG) and remained a passionate and loyal supporter of the group throughout.

He is fondly remembered by the NAFEMS community for his passion and enthusiasm, both of which he used to positively influence the organisation in its formative years.

The NAFEMS community owes a great debt of gratitude to Professor Owen and would like to express its deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.