Richard F. Unz Sr.

1935 - 2025

Richard F. Unz, Sr.

September 15, 1935 - October 25, 2025

State College, Pennsylvania - Richard F. Unz Sr., 90, of State College, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 25, 2025 at Mount Nittany Medical Center.

The son of the late Floyd and Fanny Unz, he was born in Syracuse, New York on September 15, 1935. On July 10, 1965 he married Mary Unz (née Hayden), who preceded him in death in 2007.

Richard graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Bacteriology in 1957 and M.S. in Microbiology in 1960. He received his Ph.D. in Environmental Sciences from Rutgers University in 1965.

In 1966, he moved to State College and joined the Civil Engineering (later known as Civil and Environmental Engineering) faculty at the Pennsylvania State University as an assistant professor, eventually attaining the rank of full professor in 1981. He was also chair of the Environmental Pollution Control program between 1984 and 1994, and acting chair in 2000. Following a distinguished academic career, he retired as professor emeritus in 2002.

He was editor of the Applied and Environmental Microbiology journal from 1991 to 2000. Additionally, he had been a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Environmental Engineering and Pollution Control Processes Research Review Panel member since 1981.

He belonged to many professional societies including American Society of Microbiology, Water Environment Federation, International Water Association, and Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors. He held various offices and committee memberships in several professional societies.

Some of the honors and awards he received during his career included Fellow, American Academy of Microbiology; recipient of 1st Research Award, Pennsylvania Water Environment Association; and Distinguished Service Award, American Society for Microbiology.

He had numerous articles published across a wide range of academic journals.

Richard was a devoted husband and father. He enjoyed sports (especially Penn State and Syracuse football), trains, fishing, nature walks, and travel. His travels took him throughout the United States and Canada as well as to many countries overseas including England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, Austria, China, Japan, and Australia.

He is survived by a son, Richard F. Unz Jr., and his wife, Kathryn; a sister-in-law Ilda Hayden; and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, October 30, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College.

Private burial will be at Pine Hall Cemetery, State College.

Richard supported many charities. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to a charity meaningful to you, in his memory.

Online condolences may be shared at www.kochfuneralhome.com