Founding Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science John Charles Bilello died Aug. 19 at his home in Dexter, Michigan, with his loving wife, Mary, and other family members by his side. He was 86 years old.
He leaves a unique legacy as a globally recognized scientist and an extensively published researcher. He and his wife, Mary, established the John and Mary Bilello Innovation Scholarship to support outstanding ECS students. He hired Susan Barua, who recently retired as dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science, to her first faculty position.
Born in Brooklyn, New York, to first-generation Italian-Americans Charles Bilello and Catherine Bilello (Buonadonna), John graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1956 and attended New York University. At NYU, he earned his bachelor’s degree in metallurgical engineering in 1960 and followed with a master’s degree in materials science in 1962. He went on to earn a Ph.D. in materials science and physics from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1965.
After a brief stint as a research engineer with General Telephone and Electronics, John accepted a faculty position at the State University of New York at Stony Brook. In almost two decades at Stony Brook from 1967-86, he advanced from assistant professor of materials science to eventually serve as the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In 1986, he became the founding dean of the College of Engineering and Computer Science at Cal State Fullerton. John left administration behind to focus on his passion for research at the University of Michigan in a dual appointment as professor of materials science and engineering and professor of applied physics. Over his academic career, John spent many summers and sabbaticals at other institutions, including the Polytechnic University of Milan, University College, Oxford and Caltech. After retiring from the University of Michigan in 2004, he worked for 10 years in the private sector as vice president for research and development at MetaGlass Coatings LLC.
As a scientist, John developed a reputation as an expert in the use of high-intensity X-ray (synchrotron radiation) diffraction imaging, microdiffraction, grazing angle incidence scattering and other associated techniques as a tool for nondestructive materials characterization. He studied a wide range of problems in metals, alloys and semiconductors where it is necessary to control the structure-property relationships to achieve improved performance or to create new materials. He authored more than 140 papers in technical journals plus book chapters.
However, even with his varied skills and interests, John was, first and foremost, a dedicated Bible student. He notably served as the chairman of the publishing committee for the “Christadelphian Tidings,” the fraternal magazine of his religious community.
In his personal life, John was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He recently celebrated a 66th wedding anniversary with his beloved wife, Mary Josephine Gloria. He is survived by his son, Andy (wife, Shelly), of Parkton, Maryland; his son and CSUF alum, Peter (wife, Dotti), of Dexter, Michigan; and his son, Matthew, of Dexter, Michigan. He is also survived by his four grandchildren, Sarah Cintron (husband, Charles), of South Lyon, Michigan; John A. Bilello of Harrisonburg, Virginia; Katie Bilello of Parkton, Maryland; and Joshua Bilello of Parkton, Maryland; and two great-grandchildren, Charlee and Samara Cintron, of South Lyon, Michigan.
A celebration of John’s life will be held in September at the Ann Arbor Christadelphian Hall, located at 5795 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that people consider donating to Cal State Fullerton.