Dr. Alan C. H. Hu

Hu, Dr. Alan C. H.
Henderson, NV: July 14, 2008 at age 80. Survived by his wife, In-Chiao Wang; son Frank Hu and wife Susie Chang, all of Henderson; and daughter Lynn Hu of Sunnyvale, CA. Dr. Hu was Professor of Civil Engineering Technology at RIT from 1973 until his retirement in 1986. Specializing in environmental engineering subjects, he designed a laboratory used in such courses as water and wastewater treatment, environmental pollution, and hazardous wastes. He maintained close contact with graduate schools, paving the way to advanced study for his students, two of whom achieved the PhD and several others MS degrees in engineering. Throughout his career, he was active as a consultant and published many scientific and technical papers.
After retirement from RIT, Dr. Hu was a part-time professor in the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Rochester, teaching courses in water supply and pollution control, and industrial and hazardous wastes. Prior to RIT he was Head of the Environmental Engineering Technology Department at Sumter Area Technical College in Sumter, SC. He received his Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering from Ta Tung University in Shanghai, Master's in Public Health from the University of Minnesota, and PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Oklahoma. Interspersed with his academic studies, he was an engineer with various agencies in Taiwan. As news of his death became known, tributes came from former RIT students. Robert Parker, P.E., Senior Design Engineer at the Bernier-Carr Group in Watertown, NY stated, "At various stages of my career path, Dr. Hu was my mentor, professional colleague, and friend." Paul G. Carr, PhD, P.E., founder of Bernier-Carr and now Professor at Cornell University wrote, "If inspiration or spirit is truly the power to influence the intellect and emotions of others, Dr. Hu's inspiration was absolute for me and the hundreds of other students he taught and mentored." And from Case Western Reserve University, Professor Aaron A. Jennings, PhD, P.E. said, "Dr. Hu helped create an environmental engineering program that was well ahead of its time. His preparation allowed students to excel equally well in graduate studies or engineering practice."