Looking dapper in a suit and tie, Joe Prahl, PhD, turns from a busy white board to call on a student in a class exploring fluid dynamics, his specialty.

Prahl, who taught at Case for 50 years, brought a presentation style to the classroom and to just about everything else he did — becoming a larger-than-life figure on Case Quad. Professor, researcher, adventurer, Prahl led the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering as chair, flew in a supersonic jet with The Blue Angels, and sailed across Lake Erie in his 30-foot sailboat, “Seabird,” often with students trimming the sails.

Prahl devoted his entire career to Case, with one notable leave of absence. From 1990 to 1992, he trained as a payload specialist for the Space Shuttle Columbia. Although he never attained his dream of rocketing into space, he served as the communication liaison between NASA and the scientific experiments during the 13-day mission. It was more fuel for his classes, more lore for the legend.

Prahl died at home in Cleveland April 19, 2018, at age 75.

The Joe Prahl Scholarship Fund at the Case Alumni Foundation honors Professor Prahl’s legacy. To support the fund  go to  casealumni.org/give