The Missouri S&T community is saddened to learn of the death of Dr. Ashok Midha, professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Bytnar Product Innovation and Creativity Center. He died Wednesday, Dec. 6.   

Dr. Midha, who joined S&T’s faculty in 1997 as professor and chair of mechanical and aerospace engineering, was internationally known for his work in compliant mechanisms. In 2012, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers’ Mechanisms and Robotics Conference named a track as the Ashok Midha Symposium in Compliant Mechanisms, in recognition of his “pioneering contributions to this growing and fruitful research community.”  

Dr. Midha led the $30 million mechanical and aerospace engineering building renovation and expansion project, now known as Toomey Hall, resulting in a 144,000 square-foot modern facility. He has served as an associate editor for the Journal of Mechanisms, Transmissions, and Automation in Design, and the feature editor of Mechanism and Machine Theory, the journal of the International Federation for the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms.  

A private memorial will be held at noon Sunday, Dec. 10, at the family’s home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to the Soshil Chander Midha and Kaushalya Devi Midha endowed scholarship at Missouri S&T by going to give.mst.edu and designating “Midha scholarship” or by writing a check to Missouri University of Science and Technology at Advancement Services, 1100 North Pine St, Rolla MO 65409, and writing “Midha scholarship” in the memo. 

Members of Missouri S&T Student Well-Being counseling staff are available to assist students affected by Dr. Midha’s passing. Students who wish to seek counseling services may contact the office by calling 573-341-4211, emailing wellbeing@mst.edu or make an appointment by clicking “Schedule a Screening” at wellbeing.mst.edu/services. Faculty or staff may seek services via the UM System’s Employee Assistance Program or any of the wellbeing resources available to employees. Additional details are available at wellbeing.mst.edu.