Robert H. Doremus, Professor Emeritus of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, died suddenly on January 30, 2008 in Florida. He had been a member of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering since 1971, and was nationally recognized as a leader in glass and ceramic science research.
Doremus held the title of New York State Science and Technology Foundation Professor of Glass and Ceramics until his retirement. His death is a loss to the Institute and to us all. He was a member of The American Ceramic Society, The Materials Research Society, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He was the recipient of both the Fulbright and Ramsey fellowships for study at Cambridge University. and was a Fellow of the American Ceramic Society. He served the Society as the Glass Division Editor (1975-78), and the Chairman of the Glass Division (1981-82)). He received the Ross Coffin Purdy Award (1977), the Outstanding Educator Award (1978) and the George W. Morey Award (2002) from the Society. He received numerous educator awards from Rensselaer, including Outstanding Educator Award (1978), the William H. Wiley Distinguished Faculty Award (1985) and the Trustees Teaching Award (1997). He authored several books, including “Glass Science,” “Diffusion of Reactive Molecules in Solids and Melts,” and “Ceramic and Glass Materials.”
Doremus was an outstanding teacher, and was very dedicated to Rensselaer and his students. He retired in 2003, but continued teaching thermodynamics classes until the end of 2007. He was a very committed member of the Messiah Lutheran Church, was involved as a deacon and taught for many years in Sunday schools. It was an important part of his life.
Doremus is survived by his wife of 51 years, Germaine, and their four children, Marc, Elaine, Carole, Natalie and her husband Stephen. Condolences may be sent to Mrs. Doremus at 1544 Keys Ave., Schenectady, NY 12309.