2006 Alumni Fellow - Robert E. Manning
Robert E. Manning ’48, ’49g, ’54g Eng is a technical advisor to Cannon Instrument Company after retiring as president in 1996.
Dr. Manning became president of Cannon in 1984 after a career with the company that began when he was a graduate student. He became technical director for the company in 1960 with responsibilities that included supervision of the calibration laboratory, development of viscosity standards, and instrument development for petroleum and petro-chemical industries. Dr. Manning was involved in the development of specialized laboratory instruments called viscometers, which mimicked the actual performance of lubricants in automotive engines. These viscometers became the basis for the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) flow specifications for engine oil lubricants such as 5W-30 and 10W-30. He also established a viscosity measurement program to ensure the accuracy of testing procedures and earned a reputation as an international expert on viscosity.
Dr. Manning is a longstanding member of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) International and led the development of test methods for lubricants, asphalt cements, and polymers. An ASTM fellow and recipient of the ASTM Award of Merit, Dr. Manning holds an honorary membership on the D02 petroleum committee. At Penn State, Dr. Manning was a member of the Blue Band, symphony orchestra, and Phi Mu Alpha, the professional music fraternity.
Dr. Manning is active with the State College Area Municipal Band and the Repas Band of Williamsport. He and his wife, Marjorie Rex Manning ’47, are lifetime members of the Penn State Alumni Association. Their children, Richard Manning ’83 and Marilyn Manning Lutz ’76 are both Penn State graduates.