Dr. Michael Anthony Littlejohn

Dr. Michael A. Littlejohn, 85, of Asheville, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025, after a long illness.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert Lee and Ida Mae Littlejohn of Burlington, NC. In addition, he was preceded in death by his sister, Judy Teague. Michael is survived by his wife of 61 years, Kathy Houser Litttejohn; three daughters: Dr. Deborah Litttejohn, Amy Graham and husband Bill, and Sarah McDade and husband Jeff; and four grandchildren: Spencer, Riley, JJ and Mitchell.

He earned a BS and MS in Electrical Engineering and a Doctor of Philosophy degree, all from NC State University. He was a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at NC State from 1967-2002, and implemented and directed the 2 + 2 Engineering Program at UNC Asheville. He authored over 150 papers in referred and scientific and technical journals. He was elected as a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He was one of the principal founders of the Solid State Electronics Laboratory at NC State University and provided significant Leadership in the founding of the Microelectronics Center of North Carolina.

Dr. Littlejohn received the Sigma Xi Outstanding Young Scientist Award, the Alcoa Foundation Distinguished Research Award, the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for Excellence for teaching and research, and the Certificate of Appreciation for Patriotic Civilian Service from the Department of the Army. He was elected to the Academy of Outstanding Teachers and recognized for excellence by the Western Electric American Society of Engineering Fund. ln 2015 he was awarded the Alumni Distinguished Professor Award. He was the principal author and investigator of a proposal funded by the National Science Foundation in the amount of $30 million for development of the Southeastern University of College Coalition for Engineering Education. He was the first director for this project and helped pioneer innovative teaching methods, new curriculum concepts and multidisciplinary programs for engineering education, the development for methods in distance education, and the development of new techniques in educational technology.

He was an avid reader from Theology to the Civil War and in his younger years enjoyed fishing, hunting, and raising bird dogs.

He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and especially enjoyed many visits from his family. Even through his illness he retained a contended attitude and a strong faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Covenant Reformed Presbyterian Church, 281 Edgewood Rd, Asheville, NC 28804. Rev. Sean McCann and Rev. Robert Drake will officiate.

The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall of the church immediately following the service.

The Littlejohn family would like to express their heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the staff of Fleshers Fairview Health Care Center and Four Seasons Hospice for all their exceptional care and compassion shown to Michael and his family.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:1-3.

Anders-Rice Funeral Home and Cremation Center is honored to serve the Littlejohn family.