Camden A. Coberly

Camden A. Coberly states, "My choice to become a chemical engineer was based on an interest in chemistry and mathematics, but was made in complete ignorance of what chemical engineers do." He attributes "this decision that I have never regretted" to the influence of an excellent chemistry teacher at Parkersburg High School.

Coberly obtained his BSChE from West Virginia University in 1944. He then served two years in the Navy finally as electronics officer on a radar picket ship with the rank of lieutenant (j.g.). After marriage to Lenore McComas, BS, business, WVU, he resumed his study of engineering, earning his MSChE from Carnegie Tech in 1947 and a PhD from University of Wisconsin Madison in 1949.

He joined Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, St. Louis, Missouri, in 1949 as a chemical engineer and worked there for 15 years. The last nine years he was chief engineer of the company. In 1964 he left Mallinckrodt to join the University of Wisconsin Madison as professor and associate director of the Engineering Experiment Station. He was elected chairman of the chemical engineering department in 1968 and served in this position until appointed associate dean of the college in 1971. He was responsible for research administration and also for the international programs of the college. In 1986 he returned to full time teaching and research in the department of chemical engineering. "I had come to the university to teach, and I wanted to get back to this ambition before I retired."

Coberly has been active in AIChE since moving to St. Louis, Missouri, in 1949 having held local and national positions. He has served on the board of ASEE and was awarded a Centennial Gold Medal by the society in 1992 for his contribution to engineering education. He is a Fellow of AAAS and is a member of ACS, AAUP, Rotary International and other scientific organizations. He is a member of Tau Beta Pi (WVaAlpha), Sigma Xi, Phi Lambda Upsilon and Sigma Gamma Epsilon. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Wisconsin, and is listed in Who's Who in America, in American Men and Women in Science and other national directories.

Since retirement in June 1992 he and his wife continue to make their home in Madison, Wisconsin. He comments that a particular pleasure among his other activities is participating in the Chemical Engineering Academy at WVU. "Chemical engineering at West Virginia was the start, and I will always be indebted to the teachers and friends that showed me the possibilities and gave me special help at crucial times."