Verbal, Distinguished Alumnus and NC State trailblazer, dies at 79

Claude A. Verbal, Sr., the third African-American to graduate from North Carolina State University and a Distinguished Alumnus of its Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), passed away on Feb. 2, 2022, at his home in Arizona. He was 79.

Verbal earned his B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1964 and began his career with General Motors Corporation in the Buick Motor Division. He quickly rose through the ranks and, in 1977, he became the first African-American to hold an executive position in the Buick Motor Division. He would spend most of his career as an executive with General Motors and retired as chief operating officer with Wesley International Industries.

Verbal, who also attended Wayne State University and the University of Michigan for graduate studies, became the first African American president elect of the Society of Automotive Engineers International in 1996. In that capacity he traveled extensively around the world representing the organization in 24 countries and throughout North America.

In 1997, Verbal was recognized by the College of Engineering at NC State as a Distinguished Engineering Alumnus (DEA). The award, which was established by the Faculty of the College of Engineering in 1966, is the highest honor bestowed upon the College’s alumni. In 2014, he was named to the MAE Department’s Alumni Hall of Fame.

A native of North Carolina, Verbal was a proud lifetime member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and volunteering was an important part of his life. He served as a member of many boards including: the Flint (Michigan) Institute of Music, the Flint Community Development Foundation, Hurley Medical Center and Bishop International Airport and he was appointed by the governor to the Michigan Technological University Board.

He also served with many civic and philanthropic organizations including: the Inner-City Lions Club; the Conference of United Methodist Men, the Men’s Club (Fountain Hills, Ariz.); and Friends of the Fountain Hills Library.