Ed McCluskey was a leading educator and a pioneer in establishing and fostering computer engineering as a profession. His textbooks on logic design defined the discipline. At Princeton, he established the Computer Engineering curriculum, and founded the university computer center in the early 1960s. At Stanford, he founded the Digital Systems Lab (renamed Computer Systems Lab) that cultivated collaboration between Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and the Center for Reliable Computing that played a major role advancing the fields of computer reliability and testing. He produced 75 Ph.D. graduates, many of whom are leaders in academia and industry.

According to his nomination form, supported by six Phil Kaufman Award recipients, Ed McCluskey sustained a relentless pace of fundamental contributions for efficient and robust design, high-quality testing, and reliable operation of digital systems.

His work has withstood the test of time across technology generations. “Ed's technical contribution to the fundamentals of synthesis, test, fault tolerance and digital design automation have been a cornerstone in the foundation of today’s world of ubiquitous computing and internet connectivity,” observes Dr. Thomas W. Williams, retired Synopsys fellow and recipient of the Phil Kaufman Award in 2018.

Andrzej J. Strojwas, Keithley professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University and chief technologist at PDF Solutions, explains: “Ed's seminal contributions in the fault-tolerant computing and digital testing fields are extremely relevant today in all aspects of digital system design. The army of his former students and followers will make sure that his ideas will live forever.” Dr. Strojwas was the 2016 recipient of the Phil Kaufman Award.

“While Ed will be remembered for his collection of unusual hats, he was a Computer Engineering pioneer who shaped the design and testing of digital systems for more than 50 years,” states Professor Yao-Weng Chang, president of CEDA. Dr. Chang is also the dean of the College of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at National Taiwan University.

Dr. Aart de Geus, Synopsys’ chairman and co-CEO and Phil Kaufman Award recipient in 2008, notes: "We see a great oak tree suddenly fall and immediately feel the void left behind. We have all learned from Ed's work, and today appreciate his significant contributions in making the ‘digital revolution’ not a slogan but a world-changing reality. We appreciate the impact of Ed’s technical contributions collectively and personally. Thank you, Ed!"