50 Year Members 2010

AATCC Honors 50-Year Members
By Sandy Thomas

Join us in congratulating AATCC members who have served the Association for 50 years or more. We are honored to introduce these members and congratulate them for their outstanding service to AATCC!

Edward B. Baldwin, 74, of Dalton, Ga., USA, holds BS and MS degrees from Middle Tennessee State University, USA. Upon graduation, Baldwin served in the US Army for six months. He started his career in 1960 at Fieldcrest Mills as a research chemist and research engineer. In 1966, he joined the carpet division of Burlington Industries as a laboratory manager. He went to work at WestPoint Pepperell’s carpet division in 1978 as director of quality control and technical services. In 1992, he joined Barrett Carpet Mills as director of technical services, working in quality assurance, claims, and manufacturing, until his retirement in December 1995. Baldwin formed the consulting firm, Carpet Technical Service Co. in January 1996, where he is still actively involved.

As an AATCC member, Baldwin served on the following committees: RA32 Static Electricity; RA33 Colorfastness to Atmospheric Contaminants; RA50 Colorfastness to Light; RA57 Floor Covering; ISO/TC38-SC12 Textile Floor Covering; and ISO/TC 38-SC1 Tests for Colored Textiles and Colorants. Baldwin’s main hobby is playing golf. He and his wife, Elizabeth Trent Baldwin, have three children and eight grandchildren.

Raymond Bertani, 75, of Chattanooga, Tenn., USA, attended New York University, USA, until he transferred to Chattanooga. Bertani joined Geigy Chemical Corp. in 1953 where he worked as lab technician, lab manager, and sales representative until 1975. After the merger forming Ciba-Geigy Ltd., Bertani advanced to area sales manager in 1975, director of carpet industrial sales in 1985, and executive director–carpet industry in 1991; he retired in September 1995. From October 1995 to September 2000, Bertani worked with Polychem Subsidiary of JLM Industries, Rite Industries, Global Chemical Solutions, and Manufacturers Chemical Co. in sales management and marketing positions.

As an AATCC member, Bertani enjoyed attending AATCC’s recent International Conferences. His hobbies include traveling, reading, and playing golf. He and his wife, Rosemarie A. Bertani, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Max Birnbaum, 91, of Clift on, N.J., USA, holds a BS degree in chemical engineering from Cooper Union, and a MS degree in chemical engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology. Birnbaum started his career at Atlantic
Chemical Corp. in 1950 as technical director. In 1963, he was promoted to vice-president of manufacturing and development and became senior vice-president and director of technical services in 1973. He retired after 41 years with Atlantic Chemical in May 1992. He was a member of the American Chemical Society, as well as a long time AATCC member.

Birnbaum enjoys watching movies, reading, and playing bridge. He and his wife, Frances Fladell Birnbaum, have two children and one grandchild.

Richard Correll, 82, of Belvidere, N.J., USA, started his career at Blue Ridge Winkler Co. in 1945 in the dyeing department, and was employed as superintendent of dyeing for 23 years. He became manager of Palative Dyeing Co. in 1968. Correll then worked as superintendent of dyeing for both Majestic Weaving Co. (1969-1981) and Gehring Tricot (1981-1993). After retiring from Gehring in April 1993, he worked as a consultant until November 2000. Correll’s hobbies are playing golf, hunting, skiing, and fly fishing. He and his wife of 57 years, Marie Fisher Correll, have three children living in upstate New York.

Constantin A. Ghionis, 87, of Spartanburg, S.C., USA, received his MS degree in chemical engineering from Polytechnic Institute in Athens, Greece, and his PhD in chemistry from the University of Stuttgart in Germany. He first worked with BASF Corp. in Ludwigshafen, Germany in the dyestuff applications department. From 1960 to 1967, Ghionis was employed as principal chemist and group leader in dyeing and finishing development at Celanese Fibers in Charlotte, N.C., USA. He then worked at Hystron Fibers Inc. as director of technical services. After that, he was named vice-president of special projects in the Butte Knitting Division of Jonathan Logan Inc. He was then appointed manager of textile research and development in the corporate planning division of Reeves Brothers Inc.

In 1973, Ghionis formed his own company, Omega Chemicals Inc., where he is still actively involved as its chairman. The company is a “boutique” manufacturer of specialty chemicals with custom and toll manufacturing, producing mainly softener bases. As an active AATCC member, he was the program chair of the 1968 International Conference held in Charlotte, N.C., USA. He is also a member of the American Chemical Society and the Society of Dyers and Colourists.

When not working at the plant, Ghionis enjoys reading and fishing. He and his wife, Doris Linn Ghionis, have two children and four grandchildren.

Marguerita C. Hindle, 82, of Westerly, R.I., USA, received her BS degree in chemistry, and an honorary doctor of science degree from the University of Rhode Island (URI), USA in 1993. After graduation, she worked as a department chemist at A.D. Juillard & Co. for a year. Wanting to work closer to home, she took a job as lab technician at Kenyon Industries in 1950. She was promoted to chief chemist in 1960, director of research and development in 1970, and vice-president of research and development in 1978. Hindle attributes her success to three men: her father, her husband, and Raymond Curtis (Kenyon’s founder). She was instrumental in building Kenyon’s lab into one of the industry’s most sophisticated research centers and US government-approved textile testing labs. In 1988, she formed her own company, TCE Consulting Service, offering management expertise in textiles, coated fabrics, and environmental affairs, until finally retiring in 2003. She also offered her services as adjunct professor at URI from 1989 to 1992.

Recognized for both her technical accomplishments and managerial skills, Hindle was named Woman of the Year in 1972 by the Southern New England Society of Business and Professional Women; Woman of the Year in 1987 by the South County (Rhode Island) Society of Business and Professional Women; Textile Entrepreneur of the Year in 1982 by Southeastern Massachusetts University; Top Dyeing and Finishing Mill Person in 1986 by America’s Textiles magazine; and one of the top ten in US textiles by Textile World magazine in 1986. In 1992, she was honored by AATCC students at URI who named their chapter—the Marguerita C. Hindle Student Chapter.

Hindle was the first woman to become president of AATCC, holding the position from 1987 to 1988. She was also the first woman to receive The Harold C. Chapin Award (1992) for outstanding service to the association. Hindle has served in a number of other key association positions, including vice president of the New England Region (1978-80), and chair and vice chair of the Rhode Island Section. In committee assignments, she has chaired the Executive Committee on Research (1986), Technical Committee on Research (1983-85), Appropriations Committee (1989-90), The Olney Medal Award Committee (1982), The Henry E. Millson Award for Invention Committee (1981), the Coated Fabrics Technology Committee, Textile Education Committee, and the Coated Fabrics Symposia.

Her service on research and technology committees included Bonded and Laminated Fabrics (RA77), Flammability and Fire Resistance (RA82), Characterization of Dyes (RA87), Coated Fabrics (RA86), Toxic Substances (RA94), Assessment of Dye Strength and Shade (RA98), Safety, Health and the Environment (RA100), and Garment Wet Processing (RA104).

In addition to AATCC, Hindle was active in the American Textile Manufacturers Institute, the Industrial Fabrics Association International, the Northern Textile Association, the Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, the New England Region EPA/Industry Liaison Group, the University of Rhode Island Textile Advisory Board, the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth Textile Advisory Council, and the Rhode Island Pollution Prevention Council.

Hindle and her husband, Robinson J. Hindle, enjoy traveling. In the 1980s, she and her husband enjoyed hot air ballooning including flying at the Olympics in Calgary!

Albert Meilink, 74, of Sunriver, Oreg., USA, received his BS degree from the Hogere Textiel School in Enschede, Netherlands. He first worked in the analytical lab at ARU Co. in Arnhem, Netherlands in 1959. Moving to the US, he worked as a dyehouse assistant at Jordan Mills, a lab technician at Chicopee Manufacturing Co., and a printing assistant at Country Prints. He was then employed as a technical representative by American Trading Co. in Osaka, Japan for three years and by Bayer AG in Germany. In 1965, he joined Verona Dyestuff Co. as a technical representative. Meilink then worked at Mobay Chemical Corp, as its regional manager for 24 years (1971-1995). After working as regional manager for DyStar Corp. for three years, he retired in December 1998.

As an AATCC member, Meilink was an active member of the Pacific Section between 1972 and 1998, serving as section chair. He also participated in AATCC’s national convention in 1978 when it was held in Anaheim, Calif., USA. Meilink’s hobbies are tennis, skiing, traveling, and fishing. He and his wife, Dorothy Zimmerman Meilink, have two children and one grandchild.

Peter A. Moretti, 73, of Cranston, R.I., USA, attended the University of Rhode Island’s College of Pharmacy, and the graduate School of Science and Engineering at Clemson University. He worked as a chemist for US Oil Co. from 1960 to 1972, and as vice-president and technical director for US Chemical Industries for 10 years. In 1982, Moretti joined the textile products division of IVAX Industries as technical director for eight years. In 1990, he was transferred to the international division of IVAX where he worked as vice-president until he retired in December 1994.

Moretti was very active in AATCC, having served on the flammability technology, finish analysis, and odor determination committees. His hobbies are coaching soccer, gardening, traveling, vitaculture, and financial derivatives. His and his wife, Elaine Capace Moretti, have one child and one grandchild.

John Baskin Neely, Jr., 69, of Mooresville, N.C., USA, received his BS degree in textile chemistry from Clemson University. After serving 22 months in the US Army, he worked as a superintendent of dyeing and finishing at several divisions of Burlington Industries for eight years. In 1973, he joined Pfister Chemical Inc. as a sales representative and is still actively involved in textiles sales for the company. In May 2001, the company changed its name to Pfister Dyes and Chemicals Inc.

As an AATCC member, Neely was the Piedmont Section chair for two years and a counselor for three years. He has participated as a member of RA87 Characterization Dyes Test Methods committee. His hobbies are tennis and fishing. He and his wife, Helen Norman Neely, have two children and one grandchild.

John E. Pretka, 91, of Hockessin, Del., USA, received his BS degree in chemistry from Tuft s University, USA, and his MS and PhD in chemistry from New York State University, USA. He served in the US Navy as an electronics technician from 1944-1946. His first employment included working as an organic research chemist for Evans Associates, and teaching assistant positions at Columbia University, USA and New York University, USA. Pretka worked as an organic research chemist at American Cyanamid Co. for five years. In 1955, he joined DuPont Co, where he worked in the textile fibers department as senior research chemist for 27 years, retiring in November
1982. He did some consulting work in 1983.

As an AATCC member, he worked on RA32 Static Electricity Test Methods Committee, and helped to develop tests used by AATCC. Pretka enjoys instrumental and vocal music, sports, and photography. He and his wife, Eleanor Schick Pretka, have two children, two grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Chris W. Schouten, 78, of Eastport, N.Y., USA, studied chemistry in Arnhem, Netherlands, received his BS in chemical engineering from New York University, USA, and is a graduate of Columbia University’s (USA) executive program. He began his career in research and development with the synthetic fiber division of the Kunstzyde Spinnery, “NYMA,” in the Netherlands. Joining Sandoz Chemicals Corp. in New York, USA, as a chemist in 1959, Schouten progressed to group leader, manager–research and development in 1970; to vice-president–textile industry line in 1982; and to vice-president, marketing in 1987. In 1995, Sandoz spun off its specialty chemicals business to form Clariant Corp. Schouten remained senior vice president, sales and marketing until his retirement in 1997.

Schouten was actively involved in AATCC, having served as chair of the Olney Medal Award Committee in 1983, and chair of the Colorfastness to Pleating Test Methods Committee in 1971. He also served on the Executive Committee on Research, Product Listings Committee, Advertising/Product Listings Board, Technical Subjects Committee, and the Technical Committee on Research. Schouten enjoys sailing with his family and friends. He and his wife, Ida Schouten-Verheyen, have two children and five grandchildren.

Charles D. Stewart, 72, of McDonough, Ga., USA, received his BS degree in textile chemistry from the Georgia Institute of Technology, USA. From 1961 to 1987, he was employed by Seydel-Wooley Co. and AZS Chemical Co. in Atlanta, Ga., USA, working as a development chemist, director of quality control, lab director, and director of textiles. In October 1986, Seydel-Woolley was purchased from AZS Chemical. Stewart left AZS in April 1987 to rejoin Seydel-Wooley and was named director of technical services, where he remains actively involved.

Stewart was a very active AATCC member, serving as a section officer for the Southeastern Section, and participating in several committees, including RA74 Warp Size Technology, Councilors Representing Sections, Technical Committee on Research, RA88 Home Laundering Technology, and RA104 Garment Wet Processing Technology. Stewart enjoys playing golf. He and his wife, Diane Stewart, have three children and eight grandchildren.