Month: June 2020

The 2019 Annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on the quality of drinking water supplied by the Clemson University water system  is now available. The report lists the results of tests for various contaminants required by federal and state regulations.

This annual report is issued by the university to comply with the 1996 amendments to the Federal Safe Drinking Water Act and contains health-related information regarding the various contaminants.

The report is available online at https://cufacilities.sites.clemson.edu/documents/utility/Annual%20Water-Quality%20Report.pdf.

Copies also can be requested by contacting Harry Kirby at 864-656-4942 or kharry@clemson.edu.

James Roland Fischer. 75, former director of the Clemson Experiment Station, died June 19, 2020.

Fischer worked for Clemson University more than 15 years from 1987 to 2003.

Raised on his family’s farm in Missouri, he earned his bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. in agricultural engineering from the University of Missouri-Columbia.

His professional career spanned four decades of service to the federal government and land grant university system. His “energized” philosophy led to him being a mentor to many colleagues and graduate students, and he was a recognized leader in renewable energy. He led departments, colleges and Extension systems at the University of Missouri, Michigan State University and Clemson University. He managed research programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was on the board of directors for the U.S. Department of Energy.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sharon; sons Matthew (Frances) of Piedmont, who is a senior agribusiness agent for Clemson Extension; Benjamin (Stacy) of Edgewood, Texas; and daughter, Margaret Eckelkamp (William), of Washington, Missouri.

Services were held June 23 in Washington, Missouri. His full obituary is posted online.

Betty Palmer Watkins, Associate Professor Emerita of Vocational Education, died on June 8, 2020.\

During her career, Watkins 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.

Watkins graduated from Winthrop College in 1951 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She received her master’s from the University of Tennessee in 1962. She became “Doctor Betty” in 1979 after receiving her Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina.

She is survived by a son, Bill Watkins (Evelyn). She was preceded in death by her husband, W.J. Watkins.

She was buried in Oconee Memorial Park after a private service.

See her full obituary online.

Richard K. White, 90, professor emeritus of agricultural and biological engineering, died June 6, 2020. He retired from Clemson University in 1997 after 12 years.

White received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Pennsylvania State University and his Ph.D. from Ohio State University in agricultural and biological engineering.  He served as the first Charles Carter Newman Endowed Chair of Natural Resources Engineering at Clemson University. His research and extension work focused on waste management from livestock facilities. He enjoyed interacting with his colleagues, students and stakeholders to improve producer livelihood and protect the environment. He also served in the U.S. Navy as a lieutenant during the Korean War.

The family will make plans for a celebration of life in the future.

His full obituary is posted online.

Malcolm John Skove, 89, Clemson alumnus and professor emeritus of physics, died Sunday, June 7, 2020, at the Cottingham Hospice House in Seneca.

A graduate of Clemson, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Virginia and taught physics at Clemson for 26 years, retiring as an Alumni Professor. He continued his research as professor emeritus for years thereafter.

Surviving in addition to his wife, Janet Crawford Skove, are two sons, Anthony Skove (Monica) of Buenos Aires, Argentina and Benjamin Skove (Anne) of Cincinnati, Ohio; brother, Thomas Skove of New Smyrna Beach, Florida; and three grandchildren.

Graveside services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in Woodland Cemetery on the campus of Clemson University.

Memorials may be made to the Clemson Child Development Center, 216 Butler St., Clemson, SC 29631.

His full obituary is posted online.

Kelsey N. McGhee, 19, passed away Friday, May 22. McGhee was a junior construction science and management major from Conway, South Carolina.

“We are saddened to learn of Kelsey’s passing,” said Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Chris  Miller. “She was a joy to all those who knew her. The Clemson community sends thoughts and prayers to her family as they grieve this loss.”

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is providing grief counseling to students. Any student who wants to speak to a counselor should contact CAPS at 864-656-2451.

A celebration of life was held in Kelsey’s memory on Monday, May 25 in Murrells Inlet. Click HERE to read the full obituary.