Robert H. Brock, Jr. and Roy R. Mullen have been selected as Honorary Members by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS) through the ASPRS Foundation. One of the highest awards an ASPRS member can receive, there are only 25 Honorary Members at any given time. Candidates are chosen by the Nominating Committee made up of the past five recipients of the award and chaired by the most recent recipient. James M Anderson served as this year’s chair. These awards will be made during the ASPRS 2006 Annual Conference in May in Reno, Nevada.
Initiated in 1937, the award is given in recognition of individuals who have rendered distinguished service to ASPRS and/or who have attained distinction in advancing the science and use of the geospatial information sciences. It is awarded for professional excellence and for at least 20 years of service to ASPRS. This is a life time award.
Robert H. Brock, Jr. received his BS in 1958 from SUNY, his MS in 1959 from Syracuse University and his PhD from Cornell University in 1971. He began teaching at Syracuse University in 1959 and, in 1967, he went to ESF to build the mapping sciences component of the program. Brock was Chair of the Faculty of Environmental Resources and Forest Engineering at ESF from 1980-1999, continuing to teach until his retirement in 2002. He maintains active involvement with students at the college by serving on graduate student committees as an Emeritus Professor.
Throughout his career Brock was a consultant in analytic and interpretive photogrammetry for many organizations. His work has co-produced patents for a System for Correlating Electronic Distance Measurement and Aerial Photography for the Extension of Geodetic Control, 1980; Radar Calibration Using Direct Measurement Equipment and Oblique Photometry; and a Surface for GPS Relative Positioning.
Brock joined ASP (ASPRS) in 1958. From 1975-78, he represented the Central New York Region on the ASP Board of Directors and served on the ASP Executive Committee from 1976-78. He received an ASP Presidential Citation in 1980 for organizing and implementing the first student activities program at a National ACSM-ASP Convention. He is a Certified Photogrammetrist.
Roy R. Mullen, originally from New Jersey, served with the U.S. Marine Corps as a fighter pilot during World War II. He received his BS degree from the American University. In 1951, Mullen joined the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In 1962, he was assigned as a staff engineer to the Branch of Research and Design, Office of Research and Technical Standards, McLean, Virginia. Working principally in photogrammetric instrumentation, he contributed to the development of the USGS Autoplot system and USGS Orthophotoscope. While with USGS, Mullen held the posts of Chief, Branch of Photogrammetry, Special Projects Office; Chief, Branch of Photogrammetry, Office of Research and Technical Standards; and Pacific Region Engineer, Topographic Division. Under his leadership, the USGS continued to use state-of-the-art systems to produce orthophotography for cooperating Federal and State agencies in the Pacific Region. He was instrumental in leading the agency into the digital era by establishing the Digital Applications Team who developed the DEM, DLG and 100K data themes and led the agency’s modernization effort.
As Associate Chief of the Topographic Division, Mullen’s accomplishments included the initiation and management of the US/Chinese Protocol established to exchange technology on remote sensing, automated mapping and GIS. Just before his retirement in 1995, he returned to the Western Mapping Center (formerly the Pacific Region HQ offices) to serve as Acting Center Chief.
Mullen served ASPRS as Director of the 1971 Annual Convention and was a contributing author to the 3rd and 4th editions of the Manual of Photogrammetry, and Technical Editor for the 5th edition.
Founded in 1934, ASPRS is an international professional organization of 6,000 geospatial data professionals. ASPRS is devoted to advancing knowledge and improving understanding of the mapping sciences to promote responsible application of photogrammetry, remote sensing, geographic information systems and supporting technologies.
Founded in 1979, The ASPRS Foundation, Inc. is an independent 501 (c) 3 organization established to provide grants, scholarships, loans and other forms of aid to individuals or organizations pursuing knowledge of imaging and geospatial information science and technology, and their applications across the scientific, governmental, and commercial sectors. The Foundation is the primary funding source for all non-sponsored awards and scholarships recognized by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing.
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