Dudley Thompson (1913-1996)

Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering, Fourth Chair of the Dept. of Chem. and Chem. Eng. 1956-1964

1913 - July 27, 1996

B.S. Chem. Eng. 1935, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA

M.S. Chem. Eng. 1941, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA

Ph.D. Chem. Eng. 1950, Virginia Polytechnic Institute, Blacksburg, VA

 

Dr. Thompson was an effective leader at a time of transition in the early 1970's during his tenure with the University of Missouri-Rolla. He joined the Missouri School of Mines Faculty in 1956 as a Chemical Engineering Professor and Chair of the combined departments of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. From 1964-65, Dr. Thompson was the Director for the School of Engineering, Industrial Research Center, and the Dean of Faculties. From 1973-74, he was Acting Chancellor, and in 1974 was named Vice Chancellor for the School of Engineering, and he retired from that position in 1978.

Dudley's affiliations in professional societies included Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and membership in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, American Chemical Society, Acoustical Society of America, American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education, American Institute of Physics, Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers, American Association of University Professors, and the National Society of Professional Engineers. Dr. Thompson served a term as President of the Missouri Society of Professional Engineers. He was an American Society for Engineering Education Research Fellow, the Director of Applied Ultrasonic Research at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and at the University of Missouri-Rolla, and a member of the Rolla Rotary Club, where he served as the President. He also took an active role in his church, serving as a Deacon and Chairman of the Board of Deacons on two occasions. He was inducted into the academy posthumously in 1996. Dudley and his wife Le became members of OGS in 1996. Dr. Thompson passed away on July 27, 1996 at the age of 83. Mrs. Le Thompson resides in Rolla.

Most of the above text was taken from the posting at https://chemeng.mst.edu/facultystaffandfacilities/tompson/