IN MEMORIAM
Celestial Sherven, who served as a secretary in the department for several years in the early 1980s, passed away in October at the age of 92. Celeste is remembered for her cheerful personality and for the fact that in her younger days she had been an airplane pilot.
Therese Schoofs, wife of Richard Schoofs (BS ’53), died this past July. Therese graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1953 with a BA in international relations. Before marrying, she worked at a secretarial position in Hong Kong for three years, where she developed an enduring interest in Asian culture. After returning to the United States, Therese raised three children while substitute teaching in elementary and middle schools. Once her children were in college, she embarked on a rigorous three-year program to become a docent at the San Francisco Asian Art Museum, where she served until shortly before her death.
Donald N. Hanson (PhD ’43), professor emeritus of chemical engineering at the University of California, Berkeley, died this past January at the age of 88. Don was a world-renowned expert on chemical distillation processes and an inspiring teacher and mentor. His early work on computational methods for distillation processes was both critical and timely, coinciding with the beginning of large-scale use of computers in the chemical industries. He was the last surviving member of the group of faculty that launched the chemical engineering program at UC Berkeley after World War II.
Gary J. Powers (PhD ’71), professor of chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University passed away this past July. Gary was a leading researcher in process systems engineering. He did pioneering research in process risk assessment and in process synthesis. He co-authored the text Process Synthesis with emeritus professor Dale Rudd and Jeff Siirola (PhD ’70), the first text in this area. Gary’s seminal contributions to safety analysis covered more than three decades. He developed new methods for efficiently generating detailed fault trees for quantitative risk assessment. He applied these methods in industry with great success, and in 1976 he founded the company Design Sciences, Inc. Gary developed theories and models for synthesis and evaluation of high integrity operating procedures, and novel approaches for the verification of real-time control systems combining chemical engineering models with software engineering techniques. For his contributions in the safety area Gary received the 2005 AIChE Norton H. Walton/Russell L. Miller Award in Safety/Loss Prevention. Gary was also an outstanding educator at Carnegie Mellon who loved teaching students at all levels. He was a frequent recipient of the department’s “Kun Li Award for Excellence in Education,” which is selected each year by the graduating class.
Frank G. Steffes (BS ’65, MS ’67, PhD ’70) died in August 2006 in Eugene, Oregon at the age of 63. Frank worked for 35 years in the paper industry in Washington, Louisiana, and Alabama. Early in his career, he spearheaded process studies that resulted in a patented machine that revolutionized the preparation of wood chips for pulping. With James River Corporation, Frank led a project team that was responsible for a $45 million modernization of the groundwood mill in St. Francisville, Louisiana. From 1997 until his death, Frank had his own consulting business. He was active in a number of cultural and social organizations, including the Unitarian Universalist churches in Baton Rouge, Atlanta, and Vancouver, and the Atlanta chapter of Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays, where he received an honors award in 1997. He is survived by Janice Rutherford, his wife of 18 years.
Rollin G. Taecker (MS ’42, PhD ’47) passed away in August 2005 in Naperville, Illinois at the age of 86. Rollin became a professor of chemical engineering at Kansas State University, and in 1953, helped initiate President Eisenhower’s Atoms for Peace program at Argonne National Laboratories. He retired in 1981 as director of Argonne’s International School of Nuclear Science and Engineering, a position that took him around the globe promoting atomic energy. In retirement, he was active in community service in Naperville, and he pursued his lifelong love of tinkering. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Patricia, three sons, and five grandchildren.
Otto H. Wustrack (BS ’34) died in August 2004 in Portland, Oregon at the age of 95. Otto was born in Kiel, Germany and immigrated to the U.S. with his family, spending his early years in Milwaukee. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy, and three granddaughters.
Dorothy Robbins Marshall, widow of Chemical Engineering Professor and former UW Dean of Engineering W. Robert Marshall, died in Madison on March 12, 2007. She and Bob Marshall, who died in 1988, were married for 45 years and raised three children: Peggy, Mary and Bill. Bob Marshall was one of Olaf Hougen’s PhD students. He became a productive researcher and educator, and was active in national societies, university affairs, and in initiating international cooperative programs. Dorothy was a graceful partner on many professional occasions in Madison, and at national and international conferences. They were active in civic and cultural affairs, with a special interest in dance. Bob even served as a president of the Wisconsin Ballet Company.
Dorothy, a native Madisonian, was a superb swimmer and diver, and swam across Lake Mendota as a teenager. Having a keen mind, and becoming an avid bridge player, she often won the weekly prize at Black Hawk Country Club.
Dorothy’s loving family and friends remember this grandmother and great-grandmother for her generosity, kindness, and strong interest in their activities. Many chemical engineers and professional associates will also remember Dorothy for the same qualities and her congeniality on a variety of occasions. Both Bob and Dorothy were involved in advancing equal opportunities for minorities.
Remembering their positive imprint in diverse areas, one of the professors who came to Wisconsin in the 1960s during Bob Marshall’s tenure as associate dean has initiated a Robert and Dorothy R. Marshall Scholarship Fund. Others, who have similar memories, or who have benefited in different ways, can donate to the fund through the University of Wisconsin Foundation (attn: Deb Holt), 1848 University Ave., Madison Wisconsin, 53708. The names of contributors will be shared with the family unless anonymity is requested. Alternatively, memorials for Dorothy can be sent to Oakwood Foundation, 6225 Mineral Point Road, Madison 53705 or to Hospice Care Inc. (Cheryl Parkway).
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