Charles “Charlie” Wilson, 86, died February 22.

Wilson served as the Industrial Fasteners Institute’s technical director from 1963 until he retired in 2007, the longest serving director in IFI history.

“Charlie was a veritable IFI institution and a true icon of the fastener industry,” the IFI stated.  “He was highly respected around the world for his immense knowledge and innumerable contributions to fastener technology and fastener standardization.” 

During his career, he led the development of a vast collection of industry standards that continue to be used daily.  Wilson received his Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Case Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Bucknell University.  He was also a registered Professional Engineer in Ohio.

Prior to joining the IFI, Wilson taught mechanical engineering at Fenn College of Engineering at Cleveland State University.  During this period, he also served as director of the university’s Heat/Power Laboratory.  In addition, Wilson served as a consultant to Cleveland Electric Illuminating Co. and participated in research at NASA in the analysis of the two-phase flow of hydrogen for nuclear rocket propulsion.

In 1971, Wilson was appointed secretary of the ANSI Special Committee to Study Development of the Optimum Metric Fastener System and served as a member on all its technical subcommittees.  He also served as chair of ASTM Committee F16 on fasteners and of Subcommittee F16.94 on Fastener Terminology.  Wilson was a member of the SAE Fasteners Committee and served on ASME Committees B1 on Screw Threads, B18 on Fasteners, and the ASME Board on Standardization. He served as Chair of ASME B18.12 on Fastener Terminology and Format.  He was a member of the Research Council on Structural Connections, and of the Bolting Technology Council. 

“Charlie was very proud to serve as chair of ASME B18.4, the United States TAG to ISO Committee TC2 on Fasteners and led the US delegation in international standards meetings held in Sweden, Germany, Great Britain, China, France, Italy and the United States,” according to the IFI. 

Wilson served as editor of IFI’s iconic Book of Fastener Standards, Inch and Metric.

He was a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and served as Chair of the Cleveland Section.  He was a recipient of a centennial medallion awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers for excellence of service to ASME and the mechanical engineering profession.  He received the ASME Dedicated Service Award and a Certificate of Appreciation from the U.S. Department of Commerce for outstanding service to the nation as a member of the Fastener Quality Act Advisory Committee.  In 2001, Charlie was recipient of the ASTM Fred F. Weingruber Award for contributions to fastener standardization. In 2016 he was recipient of the ASTM Frank W. Reinhart Award for his contributions to fastener terminology.

Wilson is survived by his wife of 61 years, Mary Ann Wilson; daughters Suzanne Wilson and Carolyn Wilson (Bart Terburg); and grandson Daniel Terburg.

In lieu of flowers, the family prefers contributions in his name to the ASME Foundation, 1828 Street, NW suite 510, Washington, DC 20036.  Web: https://www.asmefoundation.org/donate/