IFPS Announces the Fluid Power Hall of Fame Class of 2024

They established a special award to acknowledge individuals who have dedicated their careers and have made significant contributions to Fluid Power technology.  The IFPS recently announced the induction of Robert J. Sheaf Jr. and Constantine Kosarzecki to the Fluid Power Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

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Robert J. Sheaf Jr.

Mr. Sheaf graduated from Aquinas College High School in 1962 with honors in math and science. He attended Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio, where he completed courses in Engineering Mechanics and Strength of Materials. From 1969 to 1971, he attended the University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio, in the Engineering Department, achieving a grade point average of 3.85 while taking various courses in Physics, Chemistry, and Math. Additionally, he attended Cinti Technical College for refresher courses in English, Effective Letter Writing, and Psychology, holding a 3.0 grade point average.

In 1981, Mr. Sheaf started his own business focusing on hydraulic field service, training, and consulting.

Before starting CFC, he managed the Hydraulic Power Unit Division of Pabco Fluid Power, a distributor of Vickers hydraulic components (now known as SunSource Inc.), for nine years. Mr. Sheaf also worked for five years at a General Motors division as a Process Control Engineer troubleshooting and improving hydraulic and electrical systems. At Kinnear Corp., his first job after school, he had duties for six years involving mechanical design and field service.

He served two years on the Equipment Service Association’s Board of Directors and was a director of the ESA Scholarship Fund. His active involvement (35+ years) with the International Fluid Power Society (IFPS) includes service as a Board Member, Vice President and then President, Chair of the Certification Committee, and Past President of IFPS Publications.

Mr. Sheaf holds the following IFPS Certifications:

• Master Mechanic (Pneumatic, Mobile, and Hydraulic) Certification
• Master Technician (Pneumatic, Mobile, and Hydraulic) Certification
• Fluid Power Specialist (Hydraulic and Pneumatic) Certification
• Fluid Power Engineer Certification
• Fluid Power Electronic Controls Specialist Certification
• Accredited Instructor (to teach review seminars for IFPS Certification exams)
• Conductor and Connectors Certification

He also holds additional certifications and training necessary to work on offshore oil and gas rigs:

• IADC RIG Pass including offshore endorsement #IADCB1012982
• Safe Gulf Peg Premier PEC 700034913
• Water Survival Training/HUIT/METS API RP certification
• TWIC Transportation Worker ID Credentials issued by TSA

Mr. Sheaf was awarded “Staff Instructor” status for the International Fluid Power Society and “Outstanding Educator of the Year – 1996.” He is a lifetime Honorary Director of IFPS.

Featured articles written by Mr. Sheaf have appeared in many issues of the Fluid Power Journal magazine. His articles have also appeared in multiple issues of the Equipment Service Association’s monthly bulletin. Currently, Mr. Sheaf is a Contributing Editor for Hydraulics and Pneumatics (now Power and Motion), as well as the Fluid Power Journal and Fluid Power World. His technical articles are frequently published in most monthly editions.

Mr. Sheaf also presents/speaks on fluid power subjects at various conventions and live broadcasts, including the Waste Expo Show, Con-Ag Show, ESA conventions, IFPS conventions, and the Society of Manufacturing Engineers.

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Constantine Kosarzecki (1936 – 2015)

In 1960, Connie joined Mead Fluid Power in Chicago, then moved to Parker Hannifin in 1962, Fluid Power System in 1964, and M.T.E. (Delta Power) in 1969. In 1972, he was one of the three founders of Modular Controls and served as the VP of Engineering, overseeing all engineering design, manufacturing, and production. Under his leadership, Modular Controls became the leading manufacturer of cartridge valves, collaborating closely with major companies like I.H. Case, John Deere, Caterpillar, and others on manifold and valve designs.

By 1986, Modular Controls had grown into a $25 million company and was acquired by Trinova (Vickers), where Connie continued to work for three years until December 1989. In January 1993, he founded Command Controls Corp., introducing the next generation of cartridge valves for enhanced reliability, higher flows, and pressure handling up to 5000 psi. Throughout his career, Connie was recognized for his expertise, publishing several articles, including “Hysteresis…Counterbalance Valve’s Worst Enemy.”

In 2009, Command Controls Corp. was acquired by Bucher Industries, marking the culmination of Connie’s 51 years in the fluid power industry. Known as the “Grandfather of the hydraulic cartridge valves,” Connie, along with Robert “Bob” Koski, filed for his first of nine patents in 1978, with many of his designs still in use today. His contributions to the field have been celebrated at numerous conferences and events, solidifying his legacy as “a pioneer in fluid power technology”

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