Allen Selz
June 27, 2016

SELZ, ALLEN: Age 84, on Monday, June 27, 2016.  Beloved husband of Elaine Grossman Selz. Beloved father of Laurie Selz-Campbell (Larry) of Durham, NC, Michael Selz (Barb) of Dallas, TX, and Erik Selz (Amy) of Chicago, IL.  Brother of Robert Selz (Judy) of Hallandale, FL. Dr. Selz was born in New York and received his B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University in 1953, an M.S. from CMU in 1954, and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh in 1967, all in Mechanical Engineering. He is the originator of over twenty invention disclosures and patents, and has published numerous technical papers. He began his career at Westinghouse Electric Corporation, working on the USS Nautilus, the world's first operational nuclear-powered submarine, the first artificial heart, and some of the country's first nuclear power plants. After 21 years at Westinghouse, he moved into the consulting business and founded Pressure Sciences Incorporated in 1989, focusing on design and analysis, testing and fabrication of high-pressure vessels, as well as providing expert testimony in many court cases. PSI was chosen as a finalist in the Pittsburgh Fastest Growing Companies and as an ASME Industry Recognition Awardee in 1997.
He was a Registered Professional Engineer in four states, a member of Pi Tau Sigma, the American Society of Safety Engineers, and the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for 39 years. He also received the J. Hall Taylor Medal "for distinguished service or eminent achievement in the field of codes and standards pertaining to the broad fields of piping and pressure vessels which are sponsored or undertaken by ASME."  He was Chairman of the 1,700-member Pittsburgh Section of the ASME, was named Engineer of the Year for 1990 by the Pittsburgh Section, and in Dallas, TX in 2007. Pressure Sciences was named Company of the Year for the Pittsburgh Section of ASME for 1997. In his personal life, he was a beloved husband, father and papa of Eli, Avery, Noah and Molly, past Master of a Masonic Temple, active in League of Women Voters, and Brotherhood at Temple Emanu-El in Dallas, TX where the Selzes currently reside.  He was a swimmer, a runner, a reader, a thinker, and an avid classical music and animal lover. Friends may meet at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Friday at 1 PM and then proceed to West View Cemetery of Rodef Shalom Congregation for 2 PM Graveside Services. Contributions may be made to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Foundation, 150 Clove Road, Little Falls, NJ  07424-2100, or the American Cancer Society 8900 John W Carpenter Freeway, Dallas, TX  75247.  www.schugar.com

Condolences

Our family sends it's heart felt condolences to all of the Selz family. Thanks to Allen's efforts and distinguished career, Mechanical Engineering is a much more noble field. His impact on the industry will remain for many, many decades.

Dear Elaine, Our sincere regrets. We have lost a great Engineer, and a gentlemen's gentlemen. We will never forget the great times we had together, and his marvelous/outstanding accomplishments. Allen will be greatly missed, Pat and Guido

I served with Dr Selz on several committees over the years. He was a fine man and extraordinary technical expert. RIP Allen.

I have only been involved in the ASME for about 20 years but know that Dr. Selz was always looked up to and recognized as a founder member of what we do today. My prayers go out to the family.