Henry Grady Rylander

Dr. Grady Rylander, Jr. went to his Home in Heaven on May 22, 2010. He is a beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Grady was born on August 23, 1921 in Frio County on a farm near Pearsall, Texas to Julia McFadden and Henry Grady Rylander. He graduated in June, 1943 with a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from UT Austin. He married Grace Elizabeth (Betty) Zirkel, September 24, 1943 at the Methodist Church in Norwood, Pennsylvania. He was involved in the design of jet engines at Westinghouse Steam Division at South Philadelphia between 1943 and 1947. Grady and Betty returned to Austin, Texas in May, 1947, and he began a 50 year career teaching at the University of Texas in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He obtained his M.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1951. He obtained his PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology in 1965. He served as Chairman of the UT Austin Department of Mechanical Engineering from 1976 to 1986. Grady was one of the founders of the Center of Electromechanics and had a distinguished research career studying tribology (multi-phase lubricants and bearings) and machine design. He published more than 100 technical articles and authored or edited 3 books. Grady was active in both the Methodist and Baptist Churches. Grady is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Betty Rylander, and his sister, Jane Weekley-Brown. Betty and Grady have two sons, Grady III (Margie) and Gary (Cathy), and two daughters, Betty Grace Weldon (Jim) and Martha Jane Beiter (Kevin). Grady always had time for his 12 grandchildren at the farm in Bertram or in Rockport, Texas: Christopher Grady Rylander (Nichole), Ingrid Kincaid (Layton), Matthew Rylander (Lori), Nathan Rylander, Jonathan Rylander (Kristin), Rebekah Rylander, Katie Weldon, Virginia Weldon, Andrew Weldon, Bonny Beiter, Daniel Beiter, and Michael Beiter. His great-grandchildren Jaxson Kincaid, Adelyn Kincaid, and Lani Kincaid barely got to know him. Grady was a great teacher and role model for his family and students. He was a kind and gentle man. He will be lovingly remembered. Private family services are pending. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Grady's honor to Crestview Baptist Church, 7600 Woodrow Ave, Austin, TX 78757.