In memoriam: Edward R. Clayton, professor emeritus of business information technology

Edward R. (Ed) Clayton, professor emeritus of business information technology, died Feb. 10, 2019, in Blacksburg. He was 80.

Clayton joined the faculty of what was then the Department of Business Administration in the College of Business at Virginia Tech in 1968 after receiving his Ph.D. in engineering management from Clemson University. He had graduated with honors with a B.S. in geology from the University of Florida and attended Riverside Military Academy in Gainesville, Georgia.

Clayton spent three years in the artillery branch of the U.S. Army, achieving the rank of captain. At Virginia Tech, he served as coordinator of the management area from 1970 to 1971 and of the management science area from 1976 to 1980. 

In 1980, a separate department in management science was formed that ultimately became the Department of Business Information Technology in the Pamplin College of Business. In 1995, Clayton was named the Ralph Medinger Lenz Professor of Management Science, one of the first endowed professorships created in the college.

Clayton was a charter member of what is now known as the Decision Sciences Institute, and he held numerous offices in the institute’s southeast region as well as the southeast region of the Institute of Management Science. He served twice as president of the Southeast Institute of Management Science (now INFORMS), receiving its Distinguished Service Award.

A well-recognized researcher, Clayton authored 40 research articles and one book. He was also a dedicated and very popular teacher. He taught a wide range of graduate and undergraduate courses and received the college Certificate of Teaching Excellence. He chaired and served on numerous doctoral committees.

He retired in 2008 after a 40-year career at Virginia Tech. 

Written by: Sookhan Ho