50years2009

Celebrating 50 Years in 2009

by Sandy Thomas

Clyde T. Canter, 75, of Greensboro, N.C., USA, has a BS in chemistry from Guilford College, attended the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn, and did graduate work at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He began his career in 1952 as a chemical technician at Proximity Printworks. In 1954, he joined Cone Mills, working in various locations, as a labora¬tory technician, research and development chemist, and manager of corporate technical ser¬vices. Canter’s tenure at Cone Mills spanned a variety of technical assignments in manufacturing, marketing, research and develop¬ment, technical services, and international marketing until he took early retirement in 1989. In addition to his textile experience, he worked with apparel manufacturers in the US and internationally. In 1990, Canter became president of his own company, Rocan Inc., which was formed to provide consultant and technology management services to the textile, apparel, and allied industries.

Canter has held several AATCC offices over the years, including national vice-president of the Midsouth Region (1978-79), chair of the Northern Piedmont Section (1976), national councilor (1977-78), and chair of the corporate membership committee (1978-80). He was very active in the Northern Piedmont Section, holding various offices, serving on research committees, and overseeing the international technical paper contest in 1960.
Canter is a former member of the American Society for Quality Control, TAPPI, and the American Chemical Society. He has authored several technical treatises on various textile subjects, such as flammability, stress-strain methods for testing, and textile dyeing and finishing. Since his retirement in 2004, Canter has served as a consultant and expert witness in litigations involving textile-related fires and burn injuries.

Canter’s hobbies include boating, fishing, and vegetable gardening. He and his wife, Betty Roper Canter, have four children and seven grandchildren.

Charles P. Crute Jr., 80, of South Boston, Va., USA, attended the Philadelphia Textile Institute in 1959 and took a textile finishing and dyeing supervisor correspondence course in 1960-61. He served in the Virginia National Guard from 1949 to 1951, and was drafted in the US Army in January 1951, but was given a medical discharge. In 1949, he was employed by the Clarksville Finishing Plant of Pacific Mills where he worked as greige room supervisor for several years. For the next 30 years, Crute worked for Colonial Mills, Robbins Mills, J. P. Stevens & Co., Amerotron Corp., and Pacific Mills (which eventually was purchased by Burlington Industries) in various production and laboratory positions, including lab assistant, lab manager, dyeing department formula clerk, assistant to shift dyer, shift dyer, dyeing trainee instructor, and manager of experimental dyeing and finishing pro¬cedures. In October 1980, he joined Atlantic Chemical Corp. as its laboratory manager to oversee expansion of the company’s techni¬cal service facilities. He then went to work for High Point Chemical Corp. in 1984 as its lab manager and technical representative. When High Point Chemical was purchased by Boehme Filatex Inc. in 2002 and Boehme was eventually purchased by DyStar L.P. in 2008, Crute continued to work as a consultant in lab and technical services until his retirement in September 2008.

Crute enjoys golf, woodworking, and “working around the house.” He and his wife, Eleanor Pittard Crute, have five children, 13 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.

Frank N. Fortuna, 78, of Raritan, N.J., USA, attended Rutgers and Rider Universities for a degree in industrial management. He was first employed in 1950 at American Cyanamid Co. as a lab technician and also worked as office manager of standard dyes for 21 years. He then worked at Harshaw Chemical Co. as its northeast salesman, and at Bayer Corp. as a technical sales specialist for 18 years until he “semi-retired” in 1996. He presently works as sales manager for Kingchem LLC, selling dyes, pigments, and intermediates.

While at American Cyanamid Co., Fortuna participated in AATCC’s Shade and Strength Committee for several years in the 1950s. His hobbies include walking, politics, and selling all classes of dyes and intermediates. He and his wife, Dolores Tropiano Fortuna, have two children and three grandchildren.

Frank F. Harris Jr., 82, of Soddy-Daisy, Tenn., USA, holds a BS from the University of Chattanooga. He started his career as a chemist at Burkart-Schier Chemical Co. in 1956 where he was employed for 10 years. He then worked as vice president of sales at Lutex Chemical Co. for 15 years. In 1981, he formed his own company, Chem-Crafters Inc., which specializes in carpet dyeing, finishing, backing, knit goods, and yarn processing and manufacturing. He is still actively involved in company activities.

As an AATCC member, Harris served on the RA57 Floor Covering Test Methods Committee, working specifically on the rug back staining test method. Harris’ hobbies include tennis, golf, and traveling. He and his wife, Betty Maddox Harris, have six children, nine grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Frederick B. Hennessey, 81, of Fort Mill, S.C., USA, holds a BS in chemistry from the Philadelphia College of Textiles. In 1952, he was employed by Waldrich Co. as a plant chemist and later as a salesman. Hennessey worked in sales for Cold Springs Bleachery, Sun Chemical Co., American Hoechst Corp., and Fabricolor. He joined SUS Chemical Co. as a technical sales representative and eventually was promoted to its president. In 1989, IVAX Industries acquired SUS Chemical, and Hennessey became executive vice-president and general manager of the new division. He later became president of IVAX, retiring in June 1995. Since his retirement, he has done some sales work with Taylor Chemical Co. in Lawrenceville, Ga., USA.

Hennessey enjoys playing golf, following professional sports, and playing bridge and poker. He and wife, Vickie Dunne Hennessey, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Vincent Thomas Novak, 74, of Greensboro, N.C., USA, has a BS in textile chemistry and dyeing from North Carolina State University (NCSU). He started his career as a summer trainee in 1954 at Parkdale Mills. Novak then worked as a chemist for Rohm and Haas for two years, and as a dyer and purchasing agent for dyes and chemicals for Burlington Industries from 1958 to 1963. Also from 1958 to 1962, he served in the Quartermaster Corps of the US Army where he advanced to 1st Lieutenant. In 1963, he joined Dow Corning Corp. where he was employed as a chemist for three years. In 1966, he was employed by Guilford Mills Inc. as its lab manager, and then, in 1979, went to work for Collins & Aikman as its technical manager. Novak was rehired by Guilford Mills in 1983 as technical director where he remained until he retired in September 2000. Since retirement, he worked for Cotton Incorporated as a contractor in the areas of flammability and moisture management.

Novak joined AATCC as a junior at NCSU in 1955. As an active AATCC member, Novak has held the offices of section secretary, section chair, and councilor for the Northern Piedmont Section; and chair of the Executive Committee on Research, Technical Committee on Research, and Olney Medal Award Committee. He was also a judge and presenter for an International Technical Paper Contest. In addition, Novak has served on a number of technical and administrative committees, including: the Executive Committee of the Council; International Test Methods; Committee on Conferences; Subjects and Speakers Bureau; RA23 Colorfastness to Water; RA36 Color Measurement; RA50 Colorfastness to Light; RA56 Stain Resistance; RA87 Characterization of Dyes Test Methods; RA88 Home Laundering Technology; RA99 Technical Manual Editorial Review; RA100 Safety, Health & Environmental Technology; and RA107 Elastic Fabrics Technology.

Novak’s hobbies include home and yard improvement and tending to “honey-dos!” He and his wife, Ann Maria Hooks Novak, have three children and three grandchildren.

C. Hugh Patrick Jr., 75, of Pawleys Island, S.C., USA, has a BS in industrial management from Clemson University and has served in the US Army. He began his career in textile wet processing in 1952 at Burlington Industries and Milliken Co., working in sales training positions. In 1958, Patrick joined C. H. Patrick & Co. Inc., working in sales and marketing for 13 years. In 1971, he became president of Pat-Chem Inc. where he remained for 18 years, and then moved to Yorkshire Pat-Chem Inc. as its president until his retirement in July 1993. Currently, he serves as president of H & M Marine Products Inc.

Patrick has been actively involved in AATCC, serving as chair, vice-chair, treasurer, and secretary for the Palmetto Section, as well as councilor for two terms. He has also served as president of AATCC from 1985 to 1986, vice-president of the Southern Region, and national treasurer. He has been chair of the Individual and Corporate Membership Committees, and member of the Finishes Research, Product Listings, Publications, Advertising Board, Appropriations, Executive, and House and Grounds committees. In 1995, Patrick was chair of the Executive Director Search Committee and ex-officio member of the Executive Director Selection Committee. He was the recipient of the Chapin Award in 1996.

Patrick’s hobbies include golf, fishing, church activities, and traveling. He and his wife, Sue Hawley Patrick, have seven children and 10 grandchildren.

Richard Stanley Powell, 75, of Rock Hill, S.C., USA, holds a BS and an MS in textile chemistry from Clemson University. He started his career as a textile chemist at United Merchants and Manufacturers Co. After time spent in the US Army, he resumed his career at Allied Chemical Corp. as a technical service manager. Powell held various positions related to textiles, textile chemicals, and dyes over the years, and retired as vice-president of operations at Sunbelt Corp. in Rock Hill, S.C., USA, in July 1999.

As an active AATCC member, he was chair of the Palmetto Section. Powell enjoys golf, fishing, and his grandchildren. Powell and his wife, Nancy Steed Powell, have two children and three grandchildren.

Rubin Rabinowitz, 90, of Clifton, N.J., USA, attended the Cooper Union School of Engineering. He started his career in 1937 as a lab technician at Brook Chemical Co. where he worked for three years. He then became chemist and partner at Berkshire Color and Chemical Co. During World War II, Rabinowitz served as a line combat officer in the US Army, Chemical War Service, commanding 4.2-inch mortars for almost three years. In 1947, Rabinowitz and his brother founded Atlantic Chemical Corp. where he served as president for many years. The company synthesized organic dyes and intermediates to help fill the needs of a postwar period. Rabinowitz says that “during the indigo shortage, [I] invented the Padazoic process for applying durable colors to yarns for denims and chambrays by an almost ecologically-perfect system.” He is currently chair of American Dyestuff Corp.

Rabinowitz is an active member of AATCC, as well as main¬taining professional ties to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the Chemists Club. He has also served as director of Valley National Bancorp and Jepson Corp., was former chair of the Passaic County Planning Board, and was awarded the 1988 President’s Citation. His hobbies include music, golf, and minerals. Rabinowitz and his wife, Rene Schenker Rabinowitz, have four children and two grandchildren.

William M. Russell, 78, of Belchertown, Mass., USA, earned a BS from the University of Massachusetts, and a MS and PhD from the University of Connecticut. He was employed at Chicopee Manufacturing Co. as manager of the resin lab for 16 years. In 1975, he worked at Facemate Corp. as director of research, plant manager, and director of quality assurance until his retirement in 2000. Since retiring, he has done some consulting work, and worked as adjunct chemistry professor at American International College.

Russell has been an active AATCC member, serving on several research committees, including RA68 Odor Determination Test Methods. Russell enjoys hunting, fishing, and professional sports. He and his wife, Shirley Fleurent Russell, have three children and four grandchildren.

Irwin J. Smith III, 75, of Loudonville, N.Y., USA, is a chemical engineering graduate from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and studied business courses at Siena College. Smith served two years in the US Army prior to joining Surpass Chemical in 1958. At Surpass, he worked as chemist, sales representative, general manager, and vice-president before becoming president in 1975, a position he still holds.

He has been very active in AATCC over the years, serving three terms as national vice-president of the Central Atlantic Region, chair of the Subject and Speakers Bureau, and chair of the Intersectional Contest Paper Committee. Smith served as national councilor a total of six years since his first term in 1960, and is a past chair, vice-chair, and secretary of the Hudson-Mohawk Section. He also served the Hudson-Mohawk Section as chair of Dining, Outing, Student Award, and Sectional committees. Smith has also served as a member of the Intersectional Technical Paper Competition, Auditing, and Nomination committees; and as a judge of the Student Technical Paper and Intersectional Technical Paper competitions. He is a recipient of the Hudson-Mohawk Section’s Jack Epelberg Award for meritorious service to AATCC and to the Section.

Smith was active in many civic organizations. He was the past chair and director of the Albany Area Chapter of the American Red Cross; trustee of the West End Federal Savings & Loan; trustee of the Mechanics Exchange Division of the Dime Saving Bank of New York; and a director of the Albany Patroons professional basketball team. He also was the secretary, vice-chair, and chair of the New York State Chemical Alliance. He currently serves as director and treasurer of the Alliance.

Smith’s hobbies are golf, reading, and traveling. He and his wife, Marcia Kelly Smith, have three children andthree grandchildren.

Robert D. Smith, 78, of Charlotte, N.C., USA, received his BS from Furman University (magna cum laude), and his MS from Purdue University. He first worked as a research chemist at American Enka Corp. in 1953; as a section leader at Courtauls Co., and as a research chemist at Celanese Corp. In 1968, he joined Dexter Chemical Co. as a chemist and technical sales/service representative. He then worked for Sybron Chemical Co. as a textile chemical sales representative for 20 years until his retirement in 1994. While working at Sybron, he won several sales trips to Bermuda, England, Austria, Paris, and Hawaii. Smith was an active member of AATCC, serving as social chair of the Northern Piedmont Section from 1975 to 1978.

Smith obviously likes to travel, and has been on several traveling adventures since his retirement. He also enjoys bowling, choir, tennis, reading, and gardening. He and his wife, Betty Nichols Smith, have four children, 10 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Edward J. Snyder Jr., 77, of Albemarle, N.C., USA, holds a BS in textile engineering from the Lowell Technological Institute, and served in the US Army. In 1958, he became manager at E. J. Snyder & Company Inc., and progressed to vice-president and eventu¬ally to president of the company in 1964 where he remained until his retirement in December 2006. As an AATCC member, he served on research committees dealing with dyeing and finishing.

Snyder is very active in his community, serving on the Board of Trustees of Dore Academy and Pfeiffer University, and chair of the Stanly Community College Foundation. Previously, he was president of the Albemarle Jaycees, Albemarle-Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, Stanly County Manufacturers Association, and the United Way of Stanly County. He also served on the board of directors of Albemarle Rotary Club, the N.C. Textile Manufacturers Association, the Stanly County Industrial Development Commission, the Community Care Clinic, Stanly County Community Development Corp., Foundation of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte, and the Foundation of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Additionally, he served as a board of trustees chair of Stanly Community College, board of trustees member of the Stanly County Community Foundation, Stanly County Family YMCA, Stanly Memorial Hospital, and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Stanly Community College honored Snyder by naming its learning resource center—the Snyder Building.

In 1966, Snyder was named Stanly County’s Young Man of the Year and in 1985, he was honored as Phi Beta Lambda Businessperson of the Year. In 2004, he received an honorary doctor of public service degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Snyder’s hobbies are golf, reading, and family activities. He and his wife, Lake Inman Snyder, have one son, Edward J. Snyder III.

Charles G. “Chuck” Tewksbury, 78, of Davis, W.Va., USA, holds a BS in textile engineering from Lowell Textile Institute, and an MS in textile technology from the Institute of Textile Technology (ITT). He served in the US Navy Supply Corps from 1955 to 1959 as a shipboard assistant supply officer, pay¬master, and research property officer. His first employment was with Harris Research Laboratories, working as a textile engineering research associate, a laboratory service manager, and an industry consultant in textile engineering. He then worked for Appleton Mills as director of research and development of paper machine press fabrics for 12 years. In 1971, Tewksbury joined ITT as its executive vice president and became its president and CEO in 1973, where he remained until his retirement in 1994. While at ITT, he served as lecturer and research advisor in nonwoven technology from 1972 to 2002. Following retirement, he established Trotman Technologies LLC to assist a Virginia inventor in the development and application of new finishing and laminating technologies for industrial and home furnishing fabrics. Recently, he became a “long-distance” member of the AATCC Nonwovens Committee. He continues to serve on the Governing Board of ITT, which is now incorporated into the College of Textiles at North Carolina State University.

Tewksbury’s professional activities included serving as presi¬dent of the National Council for Textile Education and the American Association for Textile Technology, and chair of the ATMI Advisory Board for Encouraging Environment Excellence. He is currently a board member of the US Department of Commerce Technical Advisory Board, AMTEX Partnership–Industry Operating Board, National Textile Center Industry Advisory Board, and the AAMA Technical Advisory Board. Tewksbury holds several patents in textile processing and finishing; and was elected an industrial research fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a fellow of the Textile Institute. He was awarded an honorary doctorate of textile science by the Philadelphia College of Textiles and Science, and was selected by Textile World as one of 50 indi¬viduals to have had the greatest influence on the US textile industry over the past century.

Tewksbury is a fellow of Rotary International, past director of community services, past president of the Albemarle County (Va.) Rotary Club, and past chair of the Albemarle County Rotary Foundation. Tewksbury and his wife are active in church and com¬munity service, and enjoy hiking in the mountains, cross-country skiing, singing with the Tucker County Community Chorus, and traveling. Most recently, he visited China, and commented, “It was fascinating to see first hand the remarkable and rapid transforma¬tions taking place in that country which has had such an impact on our own country’s textile and apparel industries.” Tewksbury and his wife, Elizabeth “Skip” Wilder Tewksbury, have four children and eight grandchildren.

Charles Tomasino, 78, of Raleigh, N.C., USA, holds a BS and MS in chemistry and a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Florida at Gainesville. In 1954, he joined Peninsular ChemResearch as a synthesis chemist. Tomasino then worked as a research chemist at Celanese Fiber Co. and as a lecturer of organic chemistry at Belmont Abbey College simultaneously for two years. He spent 16 years with Burlington Industries as a senior research chemist, project leader for the radiation lab and the finishing lab, senior staff associate (divisional liaison), manager–technical service laboratory, and director of technical services.

Moving into academia, Tomasino started working for North Carolina State University’s College of Textiles in 1977 as an associate professor, professor, program director, and professor emeritus until his official retirement in 1998. Since retiring, he continues to work as a consultant, giving both legal (litigation) and technical support to chemical companies, primarily in the dyeing and finishing areas. He has also become involved as vice president of operations for Tribofilm Research Inc., a start-up research and development laboratory involved in surface coats for plastics and textiles.

As an active member of AATCC, Tomasino participated in AATCC symposia, and served on several Piedmont and Northern Piedmont Intersectional Research Competition committees. He holds patents for a Process for Improving Adhesion to Textiles, and a Process for Treating Cellulosic Textiles and Durable Press Rainwear. His hobbies include golf; playing trumpet in big band, swing, and Dixieland groups; and working in a chemical lab. He and his wife, Patricia O’Quinn Tomasino, have three children and seven grandchildren.

Roberta M. “Bobbi” Tremain, 69, of Charlotte, N.C., USA, received technologist papers from the Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology in Ontario, Canada, a BS in textile chemistry, and an MS in textile technology from North Carolina State University. Tremain spent 14 years at General Aniline and Film Co., working as a research chemist, development chemist, regional lab manager, and national lab manager in various locations. In 1979, she was employed by BASF Corp. as a senior technical advisor and then as senior sales representative. Tremain joined CHT R. Beitlich USA in 1982 as development manager for softeners and lubricants and remained there until she retired in 1999. Since her retirement, she has been an active member of the foundation board of the Textile Technology Center in Belmont, N.C., USA.

Over the years, Tremain has been a very active AATCC member, joining as a student in Canada. She was chair and secretary of the Piedmont Section, serving as secretary of the technical program for the Section. She also served as secretary of RA98 Assessment of Dye Strength and Shade Test Methods and was a member of the Piedmont Section Intersectional Research Paper Competition Committee. Tremain also was a member of several research committees including RA70 Yarn Dyeing Technology, RA89 Hand Evaluation Test Methods, and administrative committees including Publications, Editorial Board, Joint Membership, Textile Education, and the Technical Committee on Research. She continues to be active as the chair of the Piedmont Section Scholarship Committee. Her hobbies include traveling, cooking, tennis, golf, and staying active in her homeowners’ association.

Robert W. West, 72, of North Augusta, S.C., USA, holds an AA in chemistry from Mars Hill College, and a BS in chemistry and textile chemistry from North Carolina State University. West started his career in textiles at 3M Co., working part-time in fiber research. In 1960, he joined E. I. DuPont & Co., working as lab manager and quality control engineer for six years. He worked for United Merchants and Manufacturers Inc.’s (UM&M) dyeing and finishing facility in plant and product research and development; and at Valchem Inc. (UM&M’s chemical division) as technical service manager, chemical development, sales management, and involvement in customer plant demonstrations for 22 years. West then worked in sales for Air Products and Chemicals Inc., Auralux Corp., and American Emulsions Inc. until he retired in 1998.

As an AATCC member, West participated in annual meetings and presented a technical chemical paper while employed at Valchem. His hobbies include yard work and farm management. He and his wife, Edith Shepherd West, have two children and four grandchildren.

Fred E. Wilson Jr., 71, of High Point, N.C., USA, holds a BS from North Carolina State University. He was an AATCC Student Award Winner in 1961. Wilson started his career at Piedmont Chemical Industries as a chemist, moving to vice-president and eventually president where he still remains actively involved.

Bob A. Worley, 77, of Weddington, N.C., USA, has a BS in chemis¬try and an MS in organic chemistry from Kent State University. Worley worked for Indian Head Inc. (formerly Joseph Bancroft & Sons Co.) as a chemist and director of research from 1956 to 1968. He then moved to Burlington Industries as its manager of chemical research. In 1970, he was appointed director of research at Springs Industries and eventually became vice-president of the technical department, working in various locations until his retirement in 1997. Worley remained active after retiring, working as a consultant from 1998 to 2001. As an active AATCC member, he has served as general chair (1982-1983), program chair, and secretary of the Southern Textile Research Conference.

Worley enjoys hunting, skeet shooting, stamp and coin collecting, gardening, sports, and activities with his grandchildren. Worley and his wife, Marilyn Redmond Worley, have four children and nine grandchildren.