Howard McMahon of Marietta always seemed to be learning something new, whether it was facts about his Irish ancestors or how to play the banjo.

Dr. McMahon was born in a small town in the Canadian province of Alberta and went to college in California. He earned a master’s degree and Ph.D. in aeronautical engineering at the California Institute of Technology. He returned to Canada to work on a government research project before being recruited to teach at Georgia Tech, where he became a full professor and a U.S. citizen.

Dr. McMahon, 81, died of respiratory failure Monday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer about a year ago. The funeral will be 10 a.m. Thursday at Our Lady of the Assumption Church. H.M. Patterson & Son, Oglethorpe Hill Chapel, is in charge of arrangements.

Dr. McMahon was fascinated with his family history and took several trips to Ireland to find out more about his ancestors, said his daughter, Pat McMahon of San Francisco. He loved bluegrass music and took up the banjo at age 50, performing for family and friends.

“He and my mother often had people over for happy hour or for meals, and their St. Patrick’s Day party was always a big event,” Ms. McMahon said.

He read extensively about World War II history, and was particularly interested in period airplanes. His screensaver was a photo of WWII bombers, his daughter said.

Additional survivors include his wife, Pat McMahon of Marietta; another daughter, Helen Grove of Warner Robins; three sons, Paul McMahon of Marietta, Mike McMahon of Chattanooga, and Sean McMahon of Lake City, Fla.; and six grandchildren.