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CORVALLIS - Thomas West was named interim dean of the College of Engineering at Oregon State University on Thursday, following the death of Dean John Owen.

Owen died last weekend at the age of 61.

West has been associate dean of the college since 1992 and has been on the OSU faculty since 1976.

Oregon State will soon begin a national search to fill the position of engineering dean, according to Roy Arnold, provost and executive vice president at OSU.

"Tom West knows the College of Engineering inside and out and that knowledge will help us continue the many good things that Dean Owen began," Arnold said. West, 56, received bachelor's and master's degrees in industrial engineering from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, and a Ph.D., also in industrial engineering, from OSU in 1976.

As a faculty member, he has specialized in engineering economic analysis, intermodal transportation systems and integrated manufacturing systems. West also has been a consultant to a number of companies and agencies in the Pacific Northwest.

A memorial service will be held on campus for Owen next Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Austin Auditorium of LaSells Stewart Center, 26th Street and Western Boulevard in Corvallis.