Eugene Harley Wissler

1927 - 2018

WISSLER, Eugene Harley Dr. Eugene Harley Wissler, 90, Professor Emeritus, Henry Beckman Professor of Chemical Engineering since 1972, University of Texas, Austin was born 1927 in Cherokee, Iowa, died peacefully at home with family present, on June 26, 2018 in Montgomery, Texas. Gene was a distinguished scholar, researcher and professor. He received his Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from Iowa State University in 1950, his Ph.D. in ChemE from the University of Minnesota in 1955 (minoring in Physics and Mathematics) and Post Doctoral work at The University of Michigan in Nuclear Engineering 1958, 1961-62. Gene's professional experience included research participation at the U.S. Army Medical research Laboratory, Fort Knox, Kentucky 1955-1957, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1957, Convair - Fort Worth Nuclear Division 1959, General Atomic, San Diego 1963, Savannah River National Laboratory 1964 as well as numerous other research centers around the world. As a tenured professor of Chemical Engineering at UT from 1957 to 1995, he was Chairman of the Department of Chemical Engineering from 1958-1970, the Associate dean of the College of Engineering from 1970-1976 and the Associate Dean of the Graduate School from 1981-1995. Gene served on many student advisory committees, the Faculty Senate and three University of Texas presidential selection committees. As a member of The Town and Gown Club of Austin he served as President and Secretary of the club. While a graduate advisor, he guided and encouraged all his students through the rigors of achieving an advanced degree in Chemical Engineering. Gene loved teaching and was truly proud of his students' professional successes. Gene was instrumental in the Army giving an Analog computer to UT in 1957 which was the University's first computer. In his Army career he was introduced to the study of heat transfer in the human body which became his defining area of scientific study. He developed a computer mathematical model of heat transfer in humans which has been used by researchers around the world to save and improve lives. From the fjords of Norway to the deserts of the mid East, Gene's expertise was highly regarded. He was a prolific author and sought -after presenter of his research. He was an avid skier until age 80 and enjoyed fishing, hiking, photography around Pagosa Springs, Colorado and loved sharing these experiences with his grandsons. He is survived by Pat, his wife of 67 years, son Dr. Gerry Wissler, daughter Neysa Wissler Thorell, son-in-law Alan Thorell, grandsons Tyler, Troy, Carson and Benjamin Thorell, friend Brenda Benson, his devoted Bichon and several nephews and nieces. He is preceded in death by son Konrad Wissler. Memorials may be made to the Department of Chemical Engineering at UT Austin, or the Konrad Patrick Wissler Memorial Endowed Scholarship at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas, or the Professor Eugene H. Wissler Scholarship fund at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Iowa State University, Ames,Iowa or to one of your own favorites. A Classical Music Memorial tribute will be arranged to be held later in July.