Remembering H. Reed Wiegle: Industrial Automation Pioneer and ISA Standards Visionary

The industrial automation community lost a significant contributor in June 2025. H. Reed Wiegle passed away at age 81. His career spanned decades of technological evolution in control systems and nuclear automation.

Early Influences and Engineering Education

Family inspiration shaped Wiegle’s career path from the beginning. His uncle Charlie Linnert worked on the Manhattan Project. Linnert also developed control rod drives for the USS Nautilus submarine. This nuclear engineering legacy influenced Wiegle’s career direction.

He earned his electrical engineering degree in 1965. The University of Pennsylvania provided his educational foundation. Later, he completed a master’s degree in 1971. His thesis focused on Muddy Run Pumped Storage Station operations.

Professional Career in Power Generation

Philadelphia Electric Company hired Wiegle after graduation. His work spanned multiple power generation domains. He gained experience in substation operations and fossil fuel plants. Hydroelectric and nuclear facilities also benefited from his expertise.

His quality management system experience proved particularly valuable. This comprehensive background prepared him for consulting roles. He later joined Canus and Shaw Group as a nuclear consultant.

International Nuclear Consulting Work

Wiegle’s consulting career took him to South Africa. He observed modular reactor operations there. Later, he joined oversight teams for major nuclear plant restarts. Comanche Peak in Texas and Davis-Besse in Ohio benefited from his involvement.

At Davis-Besse, he met Herbert Estrada unexpectedly. Estrada had known his uncle Charlie from earlier projects. This connection provided valuable personal and professional insights. Wiegle retired from Shaw Group following the Fukushima disaster.

ISA Standards Development Contributions

Wiegle made substantial contributions to industrial automation standards. He served on the ISA Standards and Practices Board until 2004. His committee work focused on nuclear power plant standards. ISA67 committee leadership continued through July 2005.

The industry recognized his work with multiple awards:

• ISA Service Award in 1992 for ISA67 contributions
• ISA Achievement Award in 1997 for technical report development
• Pioneering work in internet-based standards development

Technical Legacy in Batch Process Automation

Wiegle’s work on ISA-TR88.0.03 remains particularly significant. This technical report explored recipe procedure presentation formats. It built upon ISA-88.00.01 batch control standards. The work influenced modern PLC and DCS implementation approaches.

According to PLCDCSHUB analysis, his contributions helped shape today’s batch processing systems. Modern industrial automation still reflects his foundational work. His internet-based standards development approach was ahead of its time.

Personal Interests and Mechanical Aptitude

Beyond his professional achievements, Wiegle possessed remarkable mechanical skills. He could understand and fix virtually any mechanical system. This talent extended to his personal life and hobbies.

His diverse interests included multiple automotive pursuits:

• Vintage car restoration and appreciation
• Auto racing attendance including 38 Indianapolis 500 races
• Formula 1, NASCAR, and IndyCar fandom

Enduring Legacy in Industrial Automation

Wiegle’s career demonstrates the importance of multidisciplinary knowledge. His electrical engineering background supported nuclear applications. Meanwhile, his standards work influenced broader industrial automation.

From PLCDCSHUB’s perspective, his approach remains relevant today. Modern control systems still benefit from his standards contributions. The integration of safety and functionality in nuclear applications set important precedents.

Practical Applications of Wiegle’s Work

Today’s industrial automation professionals can learn from Wiegle’s career. His multidisciplinary approach offers valuable lessons. Understanding both hardware and software aspects proves crucial. Similarly, balancing innovation with safety remains essential.

Modern control system implementation benefits from his foundational work. Batch processing systems particularly reflect his contributions. The recipe management concepts he helped develop continue evolving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What were H. Reed Wiegle’s most significant contributions to industrial automation?
His work on ISA-TR88.0.03 and nuclear power standards proved most impactful. These contributions shaped batch processing and nuclear automation practices.

How did Wiegle’s background influence his approach to automation standards?
His electrical engineering education and nuclear experience provided practical perspective. This helped develop standards that balanced technical and practical requirements.

Why does Wiegle’s work remain relevant to modern control systems?
The foundational concepts he helped develop continue influencing today’s PLC and DCS implementations. Batch processing and recipe management still use principles from his work.

Continuing the Legacy of Excellence

H. Reed Wiegle’s career demonstrates the lasting impact one professional can achieve. His contributions to industrial automation standards continue influencing modern control systems. The industry benefits from his pioneering work decades later.

Modern automation professionals can honor his legacy by maintaining high standards. Continuous learning and multidisciplinary understanding remain crucial. Quality and safety must always guide technical development.

Explore modern control system implementations at PLCDCSHUB. Our technical resources build upon the foundational work of pioneers like Wiegle.