Robert F. Landel

October 10, 1925 - September 10, 2024 Former Altadena resident Dr. Robert Franklin Landel, a trailblazing physical chemist and World War II combat veteran, passed away at his home in Santa Cruz CA on September 10, 2024, one month short of his 99th birthday. He leaves behind a legacy of scientific achievement and personal warmth, having inspired generations of researchers through his contributions to polymer science and his lifelong curiosity about the world around him. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. Landel found his greatest joy in the love and connection he shared with his family. His wisdom, integrity, guidance, and affection will continue to resonate through the generations he nurtured and influenced.
Born on October 10, 1925, in Pendleton, New York, Robert (Bob) Landel was the son of Carlisle Oscar and Grace Elisabeth (McEachern) Landel. Growing up on a farm with his siblings Carlisle, Catherine and Phyllis, his formative years were shaped by his love of science and nature, which remained constant throughout his life. In 1943, at the age of 17, Bob was accepted into the Army Specialized Training Program at the University of Buffalo, enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as a combat infantryman with the 100th Infantry Division during its entire World War II campaign through France, Belgium and Germany. This experience helped instill a sense of discipline and resilience that he would carry with him into his postwar academic and scientific careers.
After returning from the war and with the help of the G.I. Bill, Dr. Landel pursued higher education, earning both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees from the University of Buffalo in 1950 and 1951 respectively, and his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1954. It was during his graduate studies at UW that he began focusing on polymer rheology, a field in which he would become a leading figure. One of his most enduring contributions was the development, with colleague Malcolm L. Williams and thesis advisor John D. Ferry, of the Williams-Landel-Ferry (WLF) equation, which describes how the behavior of viscoelastic materials (such as rubber, plastic, and even asphalt) changes with temperature while under stress. This groundbreaking work was vital to the development of solid fuel rocket propellants and led him to work at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California, where he contributed to advancements in solid rocket propellants and aerospace materials. While he spent his entire career at JPL, holding positions as senior research engineer and section manager, he also served on the faculty at the California Institute of Technology and held several senior research fellowships at institutions across the globe. Dr. Landel also enjoyed striking up collaborations with other scientists. Either alone or with these collaborators, he published over 75 scientific papers, articles, book chapters and books. He was also awarded six patents. Among his many honors were the NASA Exceptional Science Achievement Award, a Humboldt Fellowship, and the American Chemical Society Rubber Division's Charles Goodyear Medal.
Dr. Landel's scientific contributions extended beyond his research. In addition to his technical acumen, Dr. Landel had a unique ability to communicate complex scientific principles with clarity and insight. This made him an excellent educator and a beloved mentor to many young scientists.
Outside of his professional life, Bob's interests were as varied as they were deep. He was passionate about the outdoors, frequently embarking on adventurous hiking and camping trips, and even prospecting in the rugged landscapes of Alaska. He loved to travel, both for work and leisure, with an ever-present fascination for the world's diversity. His family remembers him fondly for his deep curiosity about life and all things around him, always keen to explore new ideas and experiences. And of course, no one could forget his lifelong addiction to ice cream, a treat he savored at every opportunity.
Bob was predeceased by his beloved wife, Dr. Aurora M. Landel, a distinguished biochemist, in 2018. Together, they raised six children: Carlisle, Grace, Hans, Robert Jr., Kevin, and Matthew. He is also survived by nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward his insatiable curiosity, love of learning, and love of the outdoors. What they all cherish is his warmth, sense of humor, integrity, honesty, intelligence, optimistic outlook, devotion to family, and yes, even his tendency to be an "absent-minded professor".
A private family service will be held in his memory, with a public celebration of his life planned for later this year. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to the Aurora M and Robert F Landel Science Scholarship which is being established at the University of Wisconsin in support of young researchers in the fields of physical chemistry and biochemistry.
Dr. Robert F. Landel will be remembered for his extraordinary scientific contributions, his love of nature, his unwavering commitment to his family, and his boundless enthusiasm for life. His legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scientists, adventurers, and curious minds.