Philip ?Phil? W. Cheney

The Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution announces with deep sorrow the death May 25, 2010 of former Honorary Member, Philip “Phil” W. Cheney.  Phil and his wife Leslie became Associates in 1994.  He was elected a Member of the Corporation in 1994 and an Honorary Member in 2008.  Phil was a member of the Business Development Committee (formerly the Office for Applied Oceanography Committee since its inception in 2006, and provided valued guidance in recent years as the Institution increased its attention to intellectual property issues.  Phil also participated in the Science Partnership Program. 

Philip Warren Cheney was born in Portland, Oregon on December 3, 1935.  Phil earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology; he received his PhD in electrical engineering from Stanford University.  Upon graduation, Phil joined Raytheon Company and was affiliated with the company for over 40 years.  While at Raytheon, he served as Vice President of Engineering; manager of the Digital Systems Laboratory; manger of the Bedford Laboratory; assistant programs manager, Patriot Programs; deputy programs manager, Hawk Programs; manager of the Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) program; and most recently as a consultant.  In addition to Dr. Cheney being Adjunct Professor and Senior Consultant for Corporate Partnerships at Northeastern University, he also served as Vice President of Emerging Technology Division of Haber, Inc.  During his career, he served as a board member of Emerson Hospital (former Chair); HRL Laboratories; Massachusetts Technology Collaborative; Massachusetts Microelectronics Center; and the John Adams Innovation Institute.  Phil was a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (former board member).  He was a member of the Aerospace Industries Association; American Defense Preparedness Association; and a senior member of the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers. 

Phil and his wife of 52 years, Leslie (Dineen) Cheney, lived in Concord, Massachusetts.  In addition to his wife Leslie, he is survived by three children: Pamela, Christopher, and Stephen.