Dave.

After your post, I went and found my Alumni Magazine under the pile of junk mail I haven't sorted yet.

As you note, he had an Industrial Engineering Degree from Northwestern. His PhD was from University of Chicago. I'd say your comment on his economic views having a communist flavor are correct. That's likely why he was involved in a non-profit housing organization for years rather than working for a large profit making firm or getting a teaching gig (Economics departments tend to be conservative as a lot of their funding comes from major corporations and someone with his views is going to have a tough time being hired. Especially in the 60s and 70s).

Sounds like he never practiced as an Industrial Engineer or maybe he did and that's why he got the PhD.