Wilbert F. Stoecker of Urbana, Illinois, died Sunday, September 5, 2010, at Meadowbrook Health Center. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, on December 15, 1925 to Sophia and Frederick Stoecker, Will received his Bachelor's degree from Missouri School of Mines, a Master's degree from University of Illinois and his PhD from Purdue University.

He went on to be a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Illinois where he taught for 36 years until he retired in 1984. During this time, he received numerous awards, including the E.K. Campbell award in 1973, the F. Paul Anderson award in 1978, and the Richard Kritzer Distinguished Professor award from 1987 through 1992. He was also the author of numerous books in the field of refrigeration and air conditioning. He was active in professional organizations such as ASHRAE (Fellow and Life Member), IIAR and IIR, as well as an active member of Grace Lutheran Church and the Exchange Club of Urbana. He had a life-long interest in music and travel.

Will is survived by his wife, Patricia (Tenting) Stoecker; a son, Paul, of Fort Collins, CO; a daughter, Janet Kiener, her husband, Steve and their two children, Annie and Scott, all of Cincinnati, OH; and a daughter, Anita Edge, her husband, Ben and their two children, Matthew and Kyle of Clemson, SC.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Charles, of Valley Park, MO.

A memorial service will be held at Grace Lutheran Church, Champaign, on December 19, 2010. Memorials may be made to Grace Lutheran Church, 313 South Prospect Avenue, Champaign, IL 61820-4779 or to the University of Illinois Foundation (Wilbert F. Stoecker Scholarship Fund), 1305 West Green Street, Urbana, IL 68101.

Condolences may be offered at www.renner-wikoffchapel.com.