Dr. Joe Frank Allen, 1934-2020 Professor Emeritus of Chemistry and Associate Department Chair, he received his degree from Georgia Tech. His first job in the field of chemistry was at Oak Ridge National Laboratory where he worked in his specialty field of radiochemistry. In 1964, he was hired at Clemson University where he remained a professor of chemistry for the next 28 years. He loved teaching freshmen and developed an audio-tutorial program, but he also enjoyed working with graduate assistants. Many of them became his lifelong friends. Joe earned many awards and achievements during his lifetime. Some of them were the Danforth Award, Blue Key, and Sigma Xi awards. For years, he was very active in the American Chemical Society. He also worked at NASA in Houston during the summers of 1969-70 including the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. He was involved in the Clemson community for many years. He belonged to, and was very active, at Clemson First Baptist Church. He served as a Sunday school teacher and deacon. His most treasured experiences at First Baptist were with the adopted students he and Doris had for years. For a time, they were in charge of the Baptist Student Union at Clemson. Many of these students stayed in contact and expressed their love for Joe and Doris throughout the years. As a member of First Baptist, he was touched by the time he spent in Honduras with other church members building and repairing homes with Habitat for Humanity. He was a member of the Lions Club, the Clemson Fellowship Club and other community service organizations through the years.
Dr. Bobby Dale Barnett, 1927-2020 Professor Emeritus of Poultry Science and Chair, he received his degree from the University of Wisconsin. He and his wife, Bonnie, operated a hatchery in Springdale, Arkansas, from 1950-53. He was employed at Clemson University from 1956 to 1988, serving as assistant professor, associate professor, professor and head of the Poultry Science Department. After a sabbatical at the University of Hawaii, he returned to Clemson as acting Associate Director of the South Carolina Experiment Station and later served as Assistant to the Vice President of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Dr. Barnett was active in the Poultry Science Association, a national professional organization. He served the association as a director, associate editor, annual program chairman, and as secretary-treasurer. He served as director, vice president and president of the American Poultry Historical Society and was author of a chapter of a history book issued by the society. He was a member of the American Institute of Nutrition and a life member of the World’s Poultry Science Association. He was the author or co-author of more than 100 scientific papers as well as numerous articles for the popular press. He was a U.S. Naval Reserve veteran of World War II, serving on the USS Marsh, a destroyer escort, in the Pacific theater during 1945-46. He had a great appreciation for nature, enjoyed camping and growing flowers, especially rhododendrons, of which he became expert. The Barnetts loved to travel, and after his retirement they traveled around the world, often with grandchildren. During retirement, Barnett did extensive research on family history and compiled several books on the various branches of his and Bonnie’s families. He also took up watercolor painting as a hobby during his retirement years.
Dr. Clyde Lewis Barth, 1932-2020 Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering, he received his degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Clyde was a proud veteran of the United States Army, a graduate of the University of Illinois Champaign and earned his Masters and PhD from the University of Wisconsin Madison. He was a professor of Agricultural Engineering at Clemson University and an Agent of the Clemson University Agriculture Cooperative Extension retiring in 1987. He was a member of Dickson Memorial United Methodist Church where he taught Sunday School for many years, sang in the church choir and was very active in training lay speakers in the United Methodist Church.
Dr. John N. Beard, Jr., 1935-2020 Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, he was born in Columbia, South Carolina. He spent his retirement years as a prize-winning fisherman, gourmet cook, and world traveler. He loved his family and valued his close long-time friends. John is survived by his wife of 58 years.
Dr. John Bennett, 1931-2020 Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he received his degree from the University of Tennessee. John served in the Air Force during the Korean War where he learned about rocket navigational systems. He went on to get a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, where he designed the back-up navigational system for the lunar rover. He taught and researched at Clemson University before retiring in 1996. He was a Life Member of IEEE and a member of Clemson University Emeritus College and Trout Unlimited. He was an avid traveler, storyteller, hiker, and fly-fisherman. He loved his family and friends, the outdoors, a good hot meal, and a good laugh.
Dr. Jonathan Black, 1939-2020 Professor Emeritus of Bioengineering, he received his degree from the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Black served as a professor of Orthopedic Research from 1971-88 at University of Pennsylvania, and as a professor of Biomaterials from 1988-93 at Clemson University. He was the first occupant of the Hunter Chair in Biomaterials at Clemson. He was a self-employed consultant in Biomaterials Science and Engineering from 1993-2019, and an adjunct professor of Biomedical Engineering for Cornell University from 2011-2015. Dr. Black authored several books, including Biological Performance of Materials, and many technical papers. He was a founding member and past president of the Society for Biomaterials, and was a charter fellow of the Fellowship of Biomaterials Science and Engineering. He also served as a lay preacher at Thomas Paine U.U. Fellowship in Collegeville, PA, as well as at other U.U. congregations. His hobbies included model railroading and square dancing.
Dr. Edward Ford Byars, 1925-2020 Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering and Executive Assistant to the President, he received his degree from the University of Illinois. After WWII service in the Army Signal Corps he was a member of the Clemson faculty from 1947 to 1960. He was Professor and Chairman of Mechanical Engineering at West Virginia University from 1960 to 1980, and Dean of Engineering from 1979 to 1980. He returned to Clemson University in 1980 as Executive Assistant to the President and retired in 1985. He was Professor Emeritus at Clemson and West Virginia Universities. He was a lifelong aviation enthusiast and pilot. He owned and flew his various aircraft for 65+ years. He was inducted into the U.S. Soaring Hall of Fame and served as Chairman of the Board of the Soaring Society of America. His hobbies were racing sailplanes and restoring antique aircraft.
Ms. Frances Chamberlain, 1947-2020 Professor Emerita of Landscape Architecture, An accomplished artist and landscape architect. She earned a BA from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1970 and an MLA from the University of Virginia in 1980. Her career began at a small landscape architecture firm in New York City, then in 1989 she went to South Carolina where she helped launch Clemson University’s Landscape Architecture program. Frances partnered with the South Carolina Botanical Garden to help host the “Nature-Based Sculpture Program”. She and her
students worked with environmental artists from around the world who were invited to the garden to design and build on-site works of ephemeral art from natural materials. Her work with this program beautifully illustrates her special interest in the artistic aspects of her chosen profession of landscape architecture. “You are an inspiration, and maybe the first professor to show me it was okay not to be profound every time, but that caring and perseverance will bring integrity to the work. We are all thinking of you and sending lots of love,” wrote her student, Elena Soto Jervis.
“You have given all of your students such an incredible gift. Your legacy lives on in us- in our creative endeavors and way of looking at the world,” added her student, Naomi Cottrell. Frances was cherished by friends for her magical thinking, fascinating wealth of knowledge and charming company. “The world is going to be a little more boring without Frances and her lively mind,” said long-time friend Anne Goyer. Always keen to play a game (and of course, win!), Frances loved playing Boggle, Rummicub, Bridge and Mah Jongg. If you would like to honor her memory, stand up for what you believe is fair and true. Be grateful and always thank people. Giggle. Play games. Learn from nature. Marvel at beauty. And always stop to admire the flowers.
Dr. Richard Allan Conover,1931-2020 Professor Emeritus of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, he received his degree from Colorado State University. After he graduated from the University of Michigan (Bachelors), the Air Force identified his talent for teaching, and he served as a classroom instructor at Lackland AFB. Then for several years he worked with his father to build O-So Grape and Bubble Up into national soft drink brands. He criss-crossed the country as a traveling salesman, and his love of traveling and seeing the country grew. His ability to recall all of those roads, towns, hotels, and seemingly every meal he ever ate only grew throughout his life. He loved studying language, and enjoyed picking up dialects along the way. Grad school fed his passion to teach and his love for our national and state parks. He joined the Clemson University faculty in 1974, becoming a Professor in Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management. He mentored countless PRTM students, some of whom have made professional careers in the SC State Parks. He loved travel, especially Mexico and the Spanish language, and he took great pleasure in attending ethnic festivals, live Bluegrass music, and in later years developed an appreciation for Old-Time music and even lutefisk. He was known for his diplomacy, sympathy and consideration for others, well-informed conversation, kindness, appreciation, and gentle humor. His smile and laugh were infectious, and brightened those around him. He never took the kindness of others for granted, and he did what he could to make the world better.
Dr. Charles Ronald Dillon, 1928-2020 Professor Emeritus of Botany and Chair, he received his degrees from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. After serving in the Army of Occupation in Japan after WWII, he returned to North Caroling and attended the UNC at Chapel Hill where he earned his BA, MA and PhD in Marine Ecology. His research time was spent in Morehead City and Bogue Sound. Upon graduation, he accepted a teaching position in the Botany Dept. at Clemson University, where he developed the first Marine Biology, Marine Ecology and Oceanography courses, which included several field trips with students trips to Big Pine Key, FL where he charged the students with cataloging the flora and fauna of the local reef population. After achieving full professor status, he was named president of the Faculty Senate as well as the head of the department of Botany. Ron was an avid sailor and racer and was elected twice as commodore of the Keowee Sailing Club, which he relocated to its current home on Lake Keowee nestled in the slope of the Blue Ridge mountains. As a nature lover, and he took his family to many of our nation’s natural wonders, including a camping trip from Chapel Hill, NC to and around the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska. He was an accomplished marksman and angler as well as a runner and hiker. After retiring from Clemson University he much spent time touring the intercostal water way with wife and dogs on their power yachts.
Dr. Lawrence (Larry) Allen Dyck, 1942-2020 Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences, he received his degree from Washington University (St. Louis). Wherever he was, he filled the room with his love, conversation and humor. His life’s focus was to make the world a better place. He spread his passion for and love of science as a professor of Biological Sciences at Clemson University for 31 years. Larry loved his community. His dedication for the removal of PCB’s in 12 Mile Creek led to a cleaner Lake Hartwell. Upon retiring as a professor, Larry then created a business focused on the stabilization and habitat restoration of eroded & unsustainable lake shorelines. He was an active member of the Lake Hartwell Association (Anderson County); Friends of Lake Keowee Society (Oconee County); and The Pickens County Conservation District.
Dr. Charles Clifford Fain, 1931-2020 Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Engineering, he received his degree from The Ohio State University. During his time with us, Cliff spent 45 years as a Professor of Engineering at Clemson University, where he broke ground on several cutting edge topics, secured multiple patents throughout his career and even toured throughout Europe and the UK giving seminars on his revolutionary findings. In the most recent years he concentrated on the heat stabilization, carbonization and graphitization of carbon fibers and the development of high thermal conductivity pitch-based carbon fibers using hollow carbon fibers as high temperature micromolds. Some of his findings are even used today. He consulted with Milliken Research Corporation for over 20 years, was a former Chairman of South Eastern Section of American Ceramic Society, Session Chairman a number of years for NASA/DOD meetings at Cocoa Beach, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and a member of the American Ceramic Society, National Institute of Ceramic Engineers, Ceramic Educational Council, Whiteware Division of ACS, a member of American Carbon Society, member of Keramos, member of Sigma Xi and Chairman of Education Committee. All of these accomplishments did not go unnoticed and caught the attention of Governor Carroll Campbell, who honored Cliff with the Order of the Palmetto, which is the state’s highest civilian honor awarded to citizens of South Carolina for extraordinary lifetime service and achievements. That all being said, for those who knew Dr. Fain, you know that as hard as he worked in his lab and the classroom, what he really cherished about his job was his students and graduate students.
Dr. Ralph “Wayne” Gilchrist, 1922-2020 Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering, Wayne served his country during WWII in the Army on Leyte Island in the South Pacific. He taught and received degrees in Electrical Engineering at Tri-State College in Indiana, the University of Michigan and Michigan State University. With his straight A’s as a student and a PHD in Engineering, specializing in Power Grid Distribution, he retired from teaching and research from Clemson University in 1984. Wayne married Virginia “Jean” Eileen Brock on June 8, 1949 in Angola, Indiana and they raised three children. His wife Jean passed in 1998 but Wayne remained at their home in Seneca, SC, where he had always loved listening to classical music, solving cross word puzzles, fishing and practicing his square dancing. A quiet man with high moral standards and a subtle sense of humor, his was a life well lived.
Dr. Bobby Eugene Gilliland, 1930-2020 Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering, he received his degree from the University of Arkansas. He began work on a Master’s Degree in chemical engineering at Tech but his education was interrupted by a Draft Board notice soliciting a need for his service, so he enlisted in the Army Reserves, achieving the rank of Private First Class. He was selected for an officers training program in 1959 at Brooke Army Medical Center, Fort Sam Houston, TX. Following his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Medical Service Corps as an Environmental Engineer, Bob married Sara Frances Matkins, and the love of his life, on September 12, 1959. Bob served at the U.S. Army Environmental Hygiene Agency (USAEHA), He was responsible for conducting environmental assessments at 63 different Army posts, arsenals and depots across the U.S. After active duty and while in graduate school at Arkansas, he served in the Army Reserves as detachment commander of a Mobile Army Surgical Hospital (MASH) and as executive officer for a 200-bed station hospital. This service led to appointment as a Mobilization Officer Designee environmental engineer at USAEHA, a position he held for several years, with a final rank of Captain. Dr. Gilliland accepted an appointment at Clemson University as an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 1967 and, over a 30-plus year career, achieved the rank of Professor and was, at various times, an Assistant Dean of Engineering, Associate Dean of Engineering and Special Assistant to the President of Clemson. He was a successful proposal writer, researcher, and author of over 60 scientific papers and articles. He was instrumental in establishing the Clemson Congressional Liaison Office and the Clemson Office of Technology Transfer that often ranked in the top-10 among U.S. universities in terms of patent/copyright royalty income. He was actively involved with many national organizations. Dr. Gilliland served as a subject matter expert for the National Council for Engineering Examiners for over 30 years.
Dr. William (Bill) Ray Hare, 1936-2020 Professor Emeritus of Mathematics, he received his degree from the University of Florida. Bill went on to teach at Duke University and joined the faculty of Clemson University in the fall of 1964. He was a beloved mathematics professor for over 39 years and stayed in touch with many of his students long after he retired. Bill continued as faculty advisor and treasurer for Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Beta Kappa honor societies for many years. Bill and Eleanor were married in May 1973 and raised their blended family in Clemson. They loved to travel and visited every state in the lower 48, Alaska and many areas of Canada and Mexico over the years. They often stopped to visit relatives and old friends in their travels and made an annual trek to Canada for the Shaw and Stratford Festivals. Bill was very active with the Clemson Area League or Women Voters and served as its treasurer for many years. He was also very active with Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Clemson, including serving as an EfM leader and singing in the choir. Bill was a member of the Greenville Chorale for over 40 years. In addition to his travels, Bill and Eleanor loved to attend the opera and he was very interested in genealogy and studied his family’s roots and history, including attending the annual Hare Family reunion in Aiken.
Dr. Carl Wilbert Helms, 1933-2020 Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences (Zoology), he received his degree from Harvard University. Carl served as Chair of the Department of Biology at Bucknell University and on the faculty of the Department of Zoology at University of Georgia and served as Chair of the Zoology Department of Clemson University. He retired from Clemson University in 1998. In 2013, Carl and Doris (his wife of 50 years) moved to Charleston where they reside at Bishop Gadsden Retirement Community and spend weekends at their villa on Seabrook Island where Carl, an ornithologist, watched the sunrises, sunsets, tides and his beloved birds.
Mr. Jack E. Jones, 1929-2020 Professor Emeritus of Poultry Science, he received his degree from the University of Florida. He and his wife established their home in Clemson, SC in 1968. Jack was retired from Clemson University where he was a professor in the Poultry Science Department. During his career, he served as the only Pre-Veterinary advisor in the State of South Carolina. He was an avid flower and shrub gardener and volunteered at the South Carolina Botanical Gardens.
Dr. Benjamin Upchurch Kittrell, 1937-2020 Professor Emeritus of Agronomy and Director, Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, SC. For 40+ years he studied, taught, researched, and applied advanced principles in the fields of agronomy and crop science. He earned the first of three degrees in agriculture in 1960 from his beloved North Carolina State University, where he was active in fraternity and school government as an undergraduate. Working full time as a tobacco specialist with the N.C. Agriculture Extension Service while he continued his education, he and Nancy started their family and raised their children. After earning his doctorate in 1975, he served as extension service soybean specialist for the University of Georgia in Athens before reaching his final destination in 1978 as an agronomist for Clemson University in Florence, S.C. He again served as a tobacco specialist, this time for the state of S.C. in the tobacco-producing Pee Dee region. As the Director of the Clemson University Pee Dee Research and Education Center in Florence, he guided that facility through a time of tremendous change, implementing many improvements to the station before retiring in 2002.
Dr. Michael S. Leonard, 1947-2020 Professor Emeritus of Industrial Engineering and Chair, he received his degree from the University of Florida. Mike was a Fellow of ABET and of the Institute of Industrial Engineers, receiving the 2009 IIE Fred C. Crane Distinguished Service Award. He was Adjunct Training Director of ABET after volunteering for many years on accreditation teams throughout the U.S., and after serving on the Engineering Accreditation Commission. Mike also traveled the world teaching accreditation at several universities. He was Professor Emeritus of Mercer University after serving as Senior Associate Dean of Engineering, and Professor Emeritus of Clemson University, after serving as Chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering. Mike had been Chair of the Department of Industrial Engineering at the University of Missouri-Columbia, and had been an Assistant Professor at Georgia Tech. Mike was a Professional Engineer in Missouri and South Carolina, an officer of several professional societies, and a recipient of many awards and honors. In Macon, Georgia, he had been president of the Kiwanis Club, and was currently serving as a Director. He had been a deacon in Columbia, Missouri; Pendleton, South Carolina; and Macon, Georgia. Mike loved to travel, loved attending classic car shows, and loved his Florida Gators.
Dr. Stephen Albert Lewis, 1942-2020 Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology and Physiology, he received his degree from the University of Arizona. He was a celebrated soy bean researcher and a past President of the Society of Nematologists. He was also elected a Fellow of the society. A professor Emeritus, he had retired from Clemson University as the Department Chair for Plant Pathology and Physiology. Dr. Lewis had many hobbies and interests including cars, travel, film, art, classical music, photography and food, but his main focus was always his family. He was a member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Dr. Stanley “Luke” Lukawecki, 1929-2020 Professor Emeritus of Mathematical Sciences, he received his degree from Auburn University in 1961. Luke taught at Southwestern Louisiana College and at Texas Women”s University. He accepted a position at Clemson in 1964. Luke was one of the investigators in a NASA grant in the study of Kalman Filters. He concentrated on the undergraduate portion of the mathematics program and was heavily involved in the establishment of a mathematical sciences curriculum for undergraduates. Luke served as director of undergraduate studies for more than 10 years. He is fondly remembered by many Clemson alumni for his advice and impact on their careers. Finally, he taught postgraduate courses for mathematics teachers. Luke was a huge fan of Tiger football.
Mrs. Alison Luedtke Marlett, 1945-2020 Associate Professor Emerita of Accounting, Alison was born in Milwaukee, WI and retired from Clemson University where she taught accounting for 30 years. She was an avid reader and loved learning and traveling with her husband, Wayne. She was a wise soul and generous spirit.
Dr. David M. Nicholas, 1939-2020 Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor Emeritus of History, David was internationally recognized for his research on 14th century Flanders and late medieval Germany. Professor Nicholas is the author or editor of sixteen books, and numerous scholarly articles and book chapters on the subjects. He came to Clemson in 1989 from the University of Nebraska, where he had taught for 22 years. Dr. Nicholas retired from academia in 2006 as a Kathryn and Calhoun Lemon Professor of History at Clemson University. While at Clemson, Dr. Nicholas taught courses in Medieval History, The Era of the Hundred Years War, pre-modern urbanization, the European family, and the History of England to 1688. His love for teaching continued into retirement, where he taught at Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Clemson, SC; including classes in classical music. He was an accomplished classical pianist and playing piano was one of his favorite hobbies.
Dr. Robert (PB) Nowack, 1924-2020 Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Civil Engineering, he received his master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh and an honorary PhD from Clemson University in 1999. He was an Alumni Master Teacher that served the university for 62 years. In the early years, he hosted students in his home to teach them social skills, dinner etiquette for job interviews and even provided temporary housing for some students. Nowack was featured in the “Outstanding Teachers” section of the 1976-77 Taps yearbook. That year, the Student Alumni Council selected him to receive the Alumni Master Teacher Award, according to Taps. “Robert Nowack believes ‘teachers should contribute more outside of class than in the actual classroom,’” the yearbook reported. Students remembered Nowack’s quick and sometimes sarcastic sense of humor enlivened his classes. He had nicknames for all his students, and they had one for him, “PB,” which was short for Professor Bob. Nowack began teaching at Clemson in 1947 and retired in 2008, according to a 2008 IDEAS magazine article about him. He left only because an injury made it difficult for him to walk, friends said. He remained in the Clemson area and enjoyed hearing from his former students right up to the end of his life. Robert “PB” Nowack remembered as a legend who shaped engineers for three generations
Dr. Philip Hunter Prince, 1926-2020 Former Clemson University President and Trustee, he received an athletic scholarship to Clemson College in 1944, but his time at college was interrupted by U.S. Army service in 1944-45. He returned to Clemson and was co-captain of the 1948 football team, which won the 1949 Gator Bowl. He also was vice president of the 1949 senior class. After graduation, he attended Columbia University and Kings College, then served in the Army again in 1950-51. He began a career with Milliken and Company in 1951 and held various management and executive positions until 1967. He then served the company as vice president. In 1978, he became senior vice president for American Express before accepting a similar position at Synco Property Inc. in Charlotte. He retired in 1985. Prince has a distinguished record of service to Clemson. He was a member of Tiger Brotherhood and served on the Board of Visitors and the Alumni National Council. Beginning in 1982, he served on the board of the Clemson Foundation and became its president in 1989. He led the Campaign for Clemson, which raised $101 million for scholarships, professorships and other academic needs. He and his wife, Celeste, donated $900,000 to the campaign and Prince donated his presidential salary to university academics. He earned the Distinguished Alumni Service Award, the Clemson Medallion and the Clemson Distinguished Athletes Award, which honors athletes who have shown great character and become outstanding citizens in their lives after Clemson. Prince is known for one of the most important plays in Clemson football history. He blocked a punt that led directly to a touchdown with just four minutes remaining against South Carolina in 1948, a play that led to a 13-7 Tigers victory. Frank Howard’s team went on to an undefeated 11-0 season, Clemson’s only undefeated season between 1901 and 1980. Prince was recognized for his leadership and lifelong commitment to Clemson with an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree in May of 1995. Each year, five faculty members are presented with the Phil Prince Award for Innovation in Teaching at the Victor Hurst Convocation.
Mr. Charles V. Privette, Jr., 1941-2020 Professor Emeritus of Agricultural and Biological Engineering and Cooperative Extension, Privette received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Agricultural Engineering from Clemson University. He was employed by the Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service for 27 years where he was instrumental in the development of irrigation for farming throughout South Carolina. Prior to joining Clemson University, he served his Country in the US Army as a Second Lieutenant in Alaska where he remained with the Corps of Engineers after discharge. While with the Corps, he helped rebuild roads and bridges after the Great Alaskan Earthquake that hit Anchorage in 1964.
Mr. Ireland Regnier, 1925-2020 Professor Emeritus of Visual Arts, graduate of the Kansas City Art Institute, distinguished Professor of Art in Clemson University’s School of Architecture, a recognized artist with private collections in the U.S. and England including a painting in the permanent collection of the Greenville Art Museum, father and grandfather, beloved friend of the senior golfers at the Boscobel Golf and Country Club, and dear friend to many others, left us on August 15, 2020, at the age of 95. Ireland was born in Horatio, Arkansas on March 2, 1925. He discovered his passion for art at a very young age. World War II and the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor called him and many others in the Great Generation to serve their country. He was inducted in the Army and sent to the Pacific Theater, where he fought bravely as a machine gunner in the 41st Infantry Division subsequently being awarded the Bronze Star for heroism. At the war’s end he pursued his love of art by attending the Kansas City Art Institute earning an MFA degree. His professional career led him to Colorado Springs, Colorado, Corpus Christi, Texas and St. Petersburg, Florida and lastly to Clemson where he was hired as an Assistant Professor of Visual Arts at Clemson University in 1962, and retiring from the university in 1988, as Professor Emeritus. During his teaching career he had two sabbaticals, working in Guadalajara, Mexico and London, England and he was invited to teach painting and drawing at Penland Arts and Crafts School in North Carolina which he did for over a decade during the summer months. Many of his former students cite Ireland as the professor who influenced them most during their years at Clemson. Ireland will be remembered by his friends as a congenial and lively conversationalist who did not hesitate to express his own opinions, while listening to those of others. His infectious laugh punctuated almost every conversation. He entertained everyone with his guitar and piano playing. Ireland was truly a Renaissance man.
Dr. Malcolm Skove, 1931-2020 Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics, he earned his PhD from the University of Virginia and taught physics at Clemson for 30 years, retiring as an Alumni Professor. He continued his research as Professor Emeritus for years thereafter. He was a member of the Forum Club and enjoyed hiking, traveling, gardening, and volunteer work. He was a US Army Korean War veteran, stationed in Japan.
Dr. Mark S. Steadman, 1930-2020 Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of English and Writer-In-Residence, Mark was an esteemed member of the faculty at Clemson University from 1957 until his retirement in 1997. He was beloved and admired by most of his thousands of students. He taught a wide spectrum of classes at Clemson including The American Novel, American Literature and Twentieth Century Fiction. He also started and taught a course on American Humor and Creative Writing. He was Writer-in-Residence at Clemson from 1980-1997. He was awarded the honors of Alumni Distinguished Professor of English and Writer in Residence Emeritus upon his retirement in 1997. Mark was Visiting Professor of American Literature at the American University in Cairo where he lived for a year with his wife Jo Steadman and his sons Clay, Todd, and Wade. Subsequently he was granted a Fulbright Lecturer in American Literature at Leningrad State University in 1983 in the former Soviet Union. In addition to publishing dozens of short stories and articles, Steadman was the author of four novels; McAfee County (which was named Best First Novel of the Year by Britannica Books) A Lions Share (awarded the best work of fiction by a South Carolina writer), Angel Child, and Bang Up Season. Steadman was inducted into the South Carolina Academy of Authors in 2002. Mark cared deeply about fairness and justice and was active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 60’s to help ease the transition of desegregation. He was also an accomplished carpenter who built fine furniture, a boat, and the family home.
Dr. G. Richard Thompson, 1940-2020 Professor Emeritus of Economics, after serving many years as a well-liked and respected Professor, Dr. Thompson retired as Professor Emeritus from the Department of Economics at Clemson University. He previously served as Assistant Dean of the College of Commerce and Industry and Interim Head of the Marketing Department. Prior to Clemson, he worked at the University of Southern Alabama, the University of Central Florida, was a Visiting Professor at Arizona State University, and a Visiting Lecturer at Ecole Superieure de Commerce de Pau (France) and Universidad Latinoamericana de Ciencia y Tecnologia (Costa Rica). During his career he served as a consultant and expert witness testifying to economic damage claims in numerous courts, primarily throughout the Southeastern states. He was also an Army Veteran. Richard was a friend to many. He was quick-witted and always ready to share his life experiences, regale you with a story from his childhood, or to simply listen when you had the need to tell one of your own stories. He was quick to find humor in situations and always ready with a laugh. He appreciated the finer things in life; sailing, dining, good wine, and good company. He traveled extensively throughout his life, both as an enthusiastic tourist and in his work as a professor, college administrator, and economic consultant.
Dr. Betty Palmer Watkins, 1931-2020 Associate Professor Emerita of Vocational Education, she became “Doctor Betty” in 1979 after receiving her PhD from the University of South Carolina. A child of British North America, Betty’s ancestors on her father’s side emigrated to the Old Dominion in the 1620s from England and afterwards made their way to the upstate of South Carolina. Her mother’s ancestors were latecomers, arriving from Germany in 1740 and settling in the Chesapeake Bay. The Canups moved south after receiving land grants for their service in the Revolutionary War. Despite being born in the midst of the Great Depression, Betty received quite the education. She was president of the Seneca High School Class of 1947, the last class to be graduated under the eleven-year plan. She graduated from Winthrop College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She received her Masters from the University of Tennessee in 1962. During her career, Betty worked for the Clemson Extension Service and taught at Clemson University and Tri-County Technical College. She retired after 30 years of state service. The Clemson University Board of Trustees conferred upon her the official title Associate Professor Emeritus of Vocational Education.
Mr. John Finlay Welter, 1930-2020 Professor Emeritus of Poultry Science, he obtained his then attended Clemson University and was in the ROTC. Immediately after graduating from Clemson he served as a Second Lt. in the Korean War for two years. John returned to Clemson in 1961 with his family, to manage the Poultry Science Farm and to obtain his Masters in Poultry Science. He continued to work at Clemson University as an Extension and 4-H agent for the Poultry Science Department until his retirement in 1988. John was given the Lions Club International Award, SCACAA Award, Oconee County Poultry Producer Association Award, Boy Scouts of America Oconee District Committee Service Award, the Patriot Hospice Military Award, and was featured in the “Barns, Barbeques, and Bales of Cotton” book. John was affectionately known as the “Chicken Man” because not only was he a Poultry Specialist professionally, he was known for his barbeque chicken and pork throughout the state.
Dr. Richard K. “Dick” White, 1930-2020 Newman Professor Emeritus of Agricultural Engineering, he earned his PhD from The Ohio State University. Dick proudly served his country in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He also graduated from New York Theological Seminary. He worked as a Professor and Endowed Chair at Clemson University where he retired in 1998. He was a member of River of Life Church of God. In lieu of traditional pastoring, Dick led many Bible studies over the years, started a statewide prison ministry in Ohio helping inmates successfully transition upon release, and served on the Board of Trustees at Regent University for 18 years.
Dr. Edward “Ned” Willey, 1933-2020, Professor Emeritus of English passed away on August 4, 2020.
Mrs. Mable H. Wynn, 1942-2020 Professor Emerita of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, she received her M.S. degree in Dance Education from Springfield College in Springfield, MA. Mable began her career as an instructor in dance and physical education at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, SC, after 10 years she moved to Clemson, SC with her husband. She retired from Clemson in 2000 as Professor Emerita of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management at Clemson University. She held membership and positions in many social and cultural organizations and several government commissions, particularly those dealing with the arts and child development. “Marvelous Mable” as she was known to her friends was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She was the first advisor of the Omicron Phi Chapter at Clemson University which was chartered in 1983. She held the position of advisor until 2017, under which 27 Lines and 405 Deltas were born.
