Donald Othmer’s many contributions to the world of chemical engineering earned him countless accolades throughout his distinguished career. Buildings, scholarships and fellowships around the country have been named for this famous Nebraska native who earned more than 150 patents while developing processes. He co-edited the Kirk-Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, which is now an essential reference for universities, research facilities and chemical processing companies. He won the prestigious Perkin Medal from the Society of Chemical Industry in 1978. Othmer became interested in chemical engineering while a senior at Central High. He graduated from UNL in 1924 and received his master’s degree and Ph.D from the University of Michigan. In 1932, he joined the Chemical Engineering Deparnment at Brooklyn Polytechnic University and was actively involved there until his death.
Donald passed away in 1995 at the age of 90.