Nicolae "Nicky" Orlandea PhD

Our family is deeply saddened to inform you that our father, Dr. Nicolae "Nicky" Viorel Orlandea, passed away at his Ann Arbor home on the morning of February 4, 2023. In the last couple of years, he valiantly fought against illness, until the heart of the lion stopped just shy of 86 years of age.

Dr. Orlandea was born on March 31, 1937 in Cluj-Napoca Romania and later on also lived in Sibiu Romania. His mother, Viorica, and father, Nicolae, were both teachers. Nicky's father died young, which made it even harder for the family to make ends meet. The family had been labeled as "bourgeoisie" by the post WWII communist party authorities, therefore barred from advancement, and all their property and financial assets were nationalized. The young widow struggled to raise Nicky and his sister Doina. Luckily, they were both very smart and did exceptionally well in school: one becoming a renowned engineer/scientist and the other a successful cardiologist.

While a student, Nicky married Lucia who was studying to become a philology professor. She worked hard alongside her husband as he, at 26 years of age, began his career in academia at the Technical University of Cluj-Napoca. At that time, he also developed a deep passion for photography and loved making collages of portraits of his young family and friends. He also enjoyed cycling and competed successfully at national level.

By the spring of 1970, as his children Delia and Cosmin were toddlers, he delivered a brilliant presentation at an engineering conference and, as a result, Nicky was offered a scholarship for the PhD program at University of Michigan. He and his family sacrificed their stability, protection and financial wellbeing as Nicky left for Ann Arbor, Michigan to work on pursuing his dream in completing his PhD in mechanical engineering.

Three years later, in 1973, he completed his PhD by developing the 3D computer simulation program called ADAMS (for automatic dynamic analysis of mechanical systems).

ADAMS, his life’s work, was used in a wide range of applications and industries from the landing carriage of the Boeing 747 to distortions of nuclear reactor linings and, more recently, the landing of a rover on Mars. He was also part of a team of University of Michigan scientists who developed the first gamma ray tomograph for diagnosing brain tumors in 1974.

Following a short engagement as a Visiting Associate Professor at Iowa State University he started his 21-year long engineering career at the Deere & Company Technical Center in Moline, Illinois which included numerous patents.

His significant and innovative contributions as an engineer and scientist influenced generations of practicing engineers, researchers, and students.

In 1977 Nicky met Ann, a school teacher who was raising her four children Julie, Jon, Joe and Janet. They got married later that year in Bettendorf, IA and ended up sharing a wonderful 40-year journey together. Nicky and Ann shared a love of nature, especially the beauty of flowers and wonderful birds. When Nicky's busy schedule permitted, they traveled the world together and enjoyed sampling the finer things in life.

Nicky loved enthusiastically debating politics, economics, the state of the world and to talk about the places he saw on all continents. He loved art, good wines, good food, corny jokes, fast cars, opera and classical music.

Nicky faced many challenges, but he took them on directly and with courage and was rewarded with a long and fascinating life.

Dr. Nicolae Orlandea is survived by his daughter Delia Tamas-Orlandea, son Cosmin Orlandea, daughter-in-law Marcela Orlandea, stepchildren: Julie Rola (Paul), Jon Roberts (Linda), Joe Roberts (Linda), Janet Copeland (Jerry), grandchildren: Nora Orlandea, Alexa Orlandea, Nicholas Tamas-Orlandea, Andrea (Lattimer) Lewis, greatgrandchildren: Makaela Lewis and Caiden Lewis, first cousin Radu Dumitrescu-Orlandea (Doina) and extended family members. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister, and wife.

The family will host a Celebration of Life honoring Nicky on Saturday, April 29, 2023 from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at Weerts Funeral Home - 3625 Jersey Ridge Road - Davenport, Iowa 52807.