Sponsoring Section/Society: ASA Program Chair
Session Slot: 4:00- 5:50 Sunday
Estimated Audience Size: 100-150
AudioVisual Request: Two Overheads
Session Title: Donald W. Marquardt Memorial Session
Theme Session: No
Applied Session: No
Session Organizer: Skwish, Joseph N. DuPont Company
Address: 5123 New Kent Road, Wilmington DE 19808
Phone: (302)695-1784
Fax: (302)695-2747
Email: pqmjns@pccvax.dnet.dupont.com
Session Timing: 110 minutes total (Sorry about format):
Opening Remarks by Chair - 5 minutes First Speaker - 25 minutes Second Speaker - 25 minutes Third Speaker - 25 minutes Fourth Speaker - 25 minutes Floor Discusion - 10 minutes
Session Chair: Skwish, Joseph N. DuPont Company
Address: 5123 New Kent Road, Wilmington, DE 19808
Phone: (302)695-1784
Fax: (302)695-2747
Email: pqmjns@pccvax.dnet.dupont.com
1. Nonlinear Estimation
Bates, Douglas M., University of Wisconsin
Address: Statistics, University of Wisconsin 1210 W. Dayton St. Madison, WI 53706-1685
Phone: (608)262-2598
Fax: (608)262-0032
Email: bates@stat.wisc.edu
Abstract: One of the turning points in the history of nonlinear estimation was the publication of Donald Marquardt's 1963 SIAM paper "An Algorithm for Least Squares Estimation of Nonlinear Parameters". This paper has achieved the status of a citation classic, being listed as the third most frequently cited paper in all the mathematical sciences. It was a product of the best kind of interplay of statistical theory and practice. The ideas in this paper grew from Don Marquardt's day-to-day consulting experience, his search for the causes of failure in the nonlinear least squares routines being used at the time, and his clever insight into how to repair these deficiencies. It is not an accident that this paper is a classic. It has spawned whole areas of research in nonlinear estimation and in numerical analysis. We review the basis for the methodology Don Marquardt introduced and give some explanation of his method and its ramifications.
2. Contributions to ASA
Bailar, Barbara A., National Opinion Research Center
Address: VP for Survey Research, National Opinion Research Center, 1155 E 60th St., Chicago, IL 60637
Phone: (773)256-6070
Fax: (773)753-7886
Email: bailar-b@norcmail.uchicago.edu
Abstract: Don Marquardt played a major role in ASA that went far beyond his presidency. As the major designer of strategic planning for ASA in the eighties, Don set the stage for making changes in the ASA to bring it more in line with member needs. He was also an important player in decisions about ASA owning a building for its operations. However, Don's most important contribution to ASA was the example he set as a consulting statistician who always took the personal equation into account.
3. Contribution to International Quality Standards
Peach, Robert W., Robert Peach & Associates
Address: 200 West Cornwall Rd. #126, Cary NC 27511-3802
Phone: (919)319-1982
Fax: (919)319-1984
Email: robertpeach@compuserve.com
Abstract: Don's background at DuPont made him the perfect choice to take part in the process of crafting a family of international quality standards. From its beginning in 1980, he was a member of the Technical Committee that saw the opportunity and need for harmonized quality system standards. Don chaired the writing of ISO 9000, the guidance document describing the application of the ISO 9000 family of standards. Upon the passing of Richard Freund, Don assumed the role of leader of the US delegation. Don was asked to chart the direction that ISO 9000 development should take, leading to the publication, in 1991, of the document "vision 2000," prepared by an international group that Don chaired. Even today, the major actions that are now in motion to adapt and improve the ISO 9000 family of quality system standards continue to reflect Don's guidance and vision.
4. Overview of Don Marquardt's DuPont Career
Pfeifer, Charles G., DuPont Company
Address: DuPont Engineering, DuPont Bldg 2086-1, 11th & Market St., Wilmington, DE 19898
Phone: (302)774-2404
Fax: (302)774-2308
Email: pfeifecg@engg.dnet.dupont.com
Abstract: Don Marquardt's career with Dupont spanned 39 years. During that time he was a major player in advancing the use of statistics and increasing the influence that it had in DuPont R&D, Manufacturing, Marketing and other areas of application. His contributions came about not only through his own direct involvement in applications, but also through mentoring of other statisticians and scientists alike. He guided the development of internal statistical software and statistics training courses, and built and managed one of the largest groups of statisticians in the process industries. Much of the technical work on which he collaborated required advances which he developed and published externally. He was tireless in devoting his own personal time to increasing his knowledge of such fields as strategic planning and manufacturing quality improvement standards. He leveraged this knowledge for further synergistic value and benefit to DuPont and to the broader society with which he was involved.
List of speakers who are nonmembers: Robert W. Peach