An international leader in quantitative nondestructive evaluation (NDE) will begin phasing into retirement at the end of this month.

Donald Thompson, director of the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation and director of Applied NDE Programs at Ames Laboratory, began working at Iowa State in 1979.

Recently, he was the keynote speaker at the NDE World Conference in New Delhi, India.

The focus of NDE is to find non-invasive methods of inspecting structures or products.

It works to see things that human eyes would not normally be able to see.

For example, an X-ray may be used on an airplane wing to detect possible flaws.

Joel Snow, director of the Institute of Physical Research and Technology (IPRT), said Thompson is a rare individual who has been a leader in the field of science and engineering.

“He will be missed for his leadership, wisdom and common sense,” Snow said. “He will be sorely missed, but he has built a strong team, and they will survive.”

Thompson has worked with the quantitative NDE to develop measurement and analytical methods. The program has also worked with academic programs in the College of Engineering.

Thompson said he has been pleased with technology transfers to industry.

There are outstanding researchers, technical and support staff in his field, Thompson said.

“I am pleased with the overall cooperative attitude of the faculty and administration of ISU with us [the Center for NDE],” he said. “I will miss the routine interaction with colleagues and the chance for spontaneous brainstorming with faculty and students.”

Thompson will work with the IPRT part time and keep busy with consulting activities. He is a native of Clear Lake and said he plans to spend more time at his house on the lake.

He said he hopes to pay winter visits to his sons in California.

“I have had an enjoyable stay that was reasonably productive, and have made a lot of friends,” Thompson said.

Before coming to ISU, Thompson worked in industry for Rockwell International, Solid State Physics Division of Oak Ridge Cambridge and the Air Force Cambridge Research Center.

His honors include being a member of the National Academy of Engineering, an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor and a fellow of the American Physical Society and the International Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers.