Relva Buchanan

Relva Chester Buchanan was born in Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica to loving parents Stephen and Imogene Buchanan. He spent his formative years in St. James Parish where the Buchanan and Bucknell families were raised together and while there was nurtured by his extended family especially his Grandmother Charlotte and Aunt Iris James. He later ventured to Kingston to continue his studies at Kingston Technical College and the University of the West Indies.

His educational pursuits were comprehensive, with the awarding of scholarships, he migrated for studies at Birmingham University and the Imperial College of London in the United Kingdom and then to Alfred University in the United States culminating in a Ph.D. (Sc.D.) from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Materials Science and Engineering.

Professionally, Dr. Buchanan retired as Professor Emeritus and was also Department Head, and Researcher at the University of Cincinnati, Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering. He was also Professor Emeritus at the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign, College of Engineering Department of Material Science and Engineering. During his career he also served as the Martin Luther King Visiting Scholar, MIT, Department of Materials Science and Engineering and was a Visiting Fulbright Scholar, Department of Ceramic and Glass Engineering, University of Aveiro, Portugal. Prior to academia, he began his professional career as a Development Engineer at IBM.

He received numerous academic honors during his professional career these include Fellow of the Graduate College, University of Cincinnati, Fellow of the American Ceramic Society, Fellow of the American Society of Metals (Intl.), and a member of the National Institute of Ceramic Engineers. Dr. Buchanan has published over 300 technical and review articles, has authored 4 engineering books and has been ranked among the top 10% of researchers in the field with students. During his career he mentored 40 PhD Graduate Students, 16 Post-Doctor, l5 Visiting Scholars and advised 86 Graduate Students. He did extensive travels in Europe, Japan, India, Korea, China and various other places for technical, scholarly meetings and presentations.

He was a generous benefactor for many in and outside the family in pursuit of business or educational endeavors. He also strongly supported his church and other charitable organizations.

He leaves behind a loving family that includes, daughter Annette Buchanan, grandson Michael Grant (Tara), brother Aubrey Buchanan (Juanita), adopted niece Leonie Lawrence (Dery), adopted son Collin Hinds, special nephew and nieces- Denzil Cleghorn, Ilet Gordon, Janice Buchanan-Maclean, Julette Buchanan-Fearon, Denise Shaver, caretaker Ann-Marie Tucker and a host of additional nieces, nephews, extended family, and faithful friends.

He is predeceased by his mother Imogene, father Stephen, aunt Iris, former wife - Beryl Buchanan, brothers - Culva Buchanan, Sydney Buchanan, Duke Buchanan, sisters - Loretta Buchanan Robinson, and Eleith Rosette Barrett who have all gone on to glory.

Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 24, 2024, 11 AM at T.P. White & Sons Funeral Home (2050 Beechmont Ave.) where family and friends will be received from 10 AM until the time of service.