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In Memorium Richard S. Engelbrecht |
Richard S. Engelbrecht, the 1996 recipient of the Warren A. Hall Medal from the Universities' Council on Water Resources, passed away unexpectedly on September 1, 1996 at the age of 70.A pioneering expert on microbiological issues in water quality management, Dr. Engelbrecht was Professor Emeritus of Environmental Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Professor Engelbrecht joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1954, after graduate studies at M.I.T., and devoted his career to one of the preeminent environmental engineering programs in the world. Professor Engelbrecht directed the Advanced Environmental Control Technology Research Center established as a Center of Excellence at Illinois by the USEPA in 1979 and, in 1987, he was named the first Ivan Racheff Distinguished Professor in Environmental Engineering.
Professor Engelbrecht advised over 20 doctoral students and many more masters students, leaving a living legacy that spans the globe. He is the only environmental engineer ever to have been honored with the Benjamin Garver lamme Award of the American Society for Engineering Education, and he was also recognized by the Association of Environmental Engineering Professors with its Founders' Award in 1993.
Professor Engelbrecht was himself a citizen of the world, serving two terms as President of the International Association on Water Quality as well as holding leadership positions in numerous other professional associations. He received honors from professional societies in Germany and the United Kingdom, and from the Emperor of Japan, who conferred upon him the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays and Neck Ribbon in 1993. As a frequent consultant to the National Research Council, the national Science Foundation, and other federal agencies, and long-time member of the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, Professor engelbrecht abundantly served his fellow citizens. Professor Engelbrecht's legacy is one of intelligent, cheerful, selfless devotion to his family, students, colleagues, institutions, profession, and nation.
Professor Engelbrecht is survived by his wife, Mary, two sons and daughters-in-law, and five grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Emmanual Memorial Episcopal Church in Champaign, IL or to the Richard S./Mary E. Engelbrecht Graduate Fellowship in Environmental Engineering (UIF.Engelbrecht Fellowship) in care of the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, Urbana.
