Franklin Delano Hart

ANGIER - Dr. Franklin Delano Hart, 87, passed away on August 19th, 2024 at Transitions Hospice Home in Raleigh after a physical and mental decline from dementia. He was the son of the late David Glen and Estelle Parker Hart.

Frank grew up working alongside his brother and sisters on the family farm in Angier, NC. After high school, he pursued his goal to teach and do research at North Carolina State University where he had great success. He earned his BS degree in 1959, his MS in 1961, was honored with NSF and Ford Foundation Fellowships for doctoral study, and, in 1964, was one of the first four to receive a PhD degree in Engineering with a minor in Mathematics.

He joined the faculty as a professor of Mechanical Engineering at NC State University where he developed a specialty program in vibrations and acoustics with a major grant from NASA. He was a founding member of the NC Acoustical Society. In 1980, he was promoted to Associate Dean of Engineering Research Programs and was later named Vice Chancellor for Research at NC State University in 1983. During his leadership, sponsored research funding at the University more than doubled. He was an innovator in the research and development for the Centennial Campus. In 1990, he was named Interim Provost and became Provost in 1991. He was honored with NC State University’s Holladay Medal for Excellence. He retired from the University in 1994 and accepted the position of President and CEO for the Microelectronics Center of NC. His leadership successfully guided MCNC from the academic world and fulfilled a mandate from the NC legislature to become independent of state funding. He retired from MCNC in 1998. In 1999, he was awarded the Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award from NC State University.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Adams Lee; sister, Bettie Hart Adams; daughters, Kimberly Hart Butler and Janine Hart Brugh (Rob); grandson, Joshua Heath (Kelly), granddaughters, Haley Soaper (Hunter) and Chandler Brugh, 4 great grandsons, numerous nieces and nephews and stepson Joseph Lee (Elizabeth) and family.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brother, Julian David Hart; sisters, Minnetta Hart Morgan and Glenda Hart Sorenson; Nancy Adams Hart (mother of his children) and Eleanor Bridgers Hart.

He will lie in state at Bryan-Lee Funeral Home, 300 E. McIver Street, Angier, NC 27501 on Friday August 23, 2024 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm for visitation without the family. The funeral service will be Saturday, August 24, 2024 at 11:00 am at Angier Baptist Church, 155 S. Hickory Street, Angier, NC 27501. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the funeral service at 10:00 am, Saturday, August 24, 2024 at the church. The committal will follow at 3:00 pm at Bridgers Family Cemetery at 899 Bridgers Road, Kenly, NC 27542.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Transitions Hospice Home for their loving care.

In lieu of flowers, a donation in Frank’s name can be made to the Dr. Franklin D. Hart Scholarship Endowment Fund at NC State University (Checks payable to: NC State Natural Resources Foundation; Memo: Dr. Franklin D. Hart Scholarship Endowment; Address: NC State College Of Natural Resources, Campus Box 8010, Raleigh, NC 27695 (or online at the link below) or to Angier Baptist Church, 155 S. Hickory Street, Angier, NC 27501.

Condolences may be made at www.bryan-leefuneralhome.com