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Malcolm Renfrew

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Malcolm Renfrew
Born
Malcolm McKenzie Renfrew

October 12, 1910
Spokane, Washington
DiedOctober 12, 2013(2013-10-12) (aged 103)
Moscow, Idaho
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Idaho
(B.S. 1932, M.S. 1934)
University of Minnesota
(Ph.D. 1938)
Known forTeflon
AwardsAmerican Chemical Society
1985 Chemical Health
& Safety Award
Scientific career
FieldsChemistry
InstitutionsUniversity of Idaho
Doctoral advisorGeorge Glockler

Malcolm MacKenzie Renfrew (October 12, 1910 – October 12, 2013) was an American polymer chemist, inventor, and professor emeritus at the University of Idaho in Moscow, Idaho. [1] Renfrew Hall, the university's chemistry building, was named for him in 1985.[2]

He is noted for his contribution to the development of Teflon, including the first paper on the subject.[3] In 1946 he spoke on behalf of DuPont at the American Chemical Society (ACS) meeting at which Teflon was announced.[4][5]

Early life

The son of an accountant, Renfrew was born October 12, 1910, in Spokane, Washington,[6] lived in Colfax, and moved with his family at age 12 to Potlatch, Idaho, in 1923 and graduated from Potlatch High School in 1928. Renfrew then attended the University of Idaho in nearby Moscow, where he joined the Phi Gamma Delta fraternity[7] and wrote for The Argonaut, the student newspaper. Originally interested in journalism, he switched his major to chemistry[8] and graduated with a B.S. in 1932 and an M.S. in 1934.[9] He then traveled to the Midwest to continue his studies and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1938.[10]

Career

After gaining his doctorate, Renfrew worked for DuPont in New Jersey, where he produced a number of patents on polymethyl methacrylate, including one on photopolymerization,[11] material for tooth repair,[12] as well as epoxy resins[13] and the first method of synthesis of poly(tetrafluoroethylene) in a form which was suitable for the commercial production of Teflon.[14]

After further industrial experience with General Mills Company in Minneapolis and Spencer Kellogg & Sons in Buffalo, he returned west in 1959 to his alma mater to head the UI Department of Physical Science.[4] This was split into separate departments of physics and chemistry in 1967, with Renfrew as the Head of Chemistry, a position he retained until 1973; he retired in 1976 and became professor emeritus.[9]

Honors

In 1976 he was made a Fellow of the American Chemical Society. Well known for his research, Renfrew has been praised for his work on chemical safety and as an educator, both recognized in the ACS 1985 Chemical Health and Safety Award for "his publications and column on Chemical Safety in the Journal of Chemical Education". In 2006 he received the Distinguished Science Communicator award.[15]

Renfrew was also an artist: an exhibition of his paintings was held in Moscow City Hall in November–December 2010.[16] His 100th birthday, October 12, 2010, was declared as "Malcolm M. Renfrew Day" in the State of Idaho by Governor Butch Otter.[17] Part of the celebration was the rededication of Renfrew Hall, the chemistry building named for him a quarter century earlier. Opened 60 years ago in 1964 as the Physical Sciences Building ("Phy-Sci"),[18] it was renamed "Renfrew Hall" in October 1985 for his 75th birthday.[19]

Personal

Shortly after gaining his doctorate, he married Carol Joy Campbell (September 19, 1913 – January 12, 2010), on June 26, 1938. A member of Kappa Alpha Theta, she was a 1935 B.S. economics graduate of the University of Idaho from Rosalia, Washington. Born on a farm near Fairfield,[20] at the time of her death at age 96, they had been married for over 71 years.[15][21][22]

Renfrew was an Elder of the Presbyterian Church and played the trombone.[23] He was a member of the Idaho Vandals Non-Marching Pep Band[24] and the Hog Heaven Big Band.[25] ("Hog Heaven" was an early name for Moscow.)

Renfrew died at his home in Moscow on October 12, 2013, his 103rd birthday.[1][26]

References

  1. ^ a b Vestal, Shawn (October 18, 2013). "Malcolm Renfrew, the man who oversaw Teflon's development, dies at 103". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Retrieved September 27, 2015.
  2. ^ University of Idaho, Dept of Chemistry
  3. ^ Renfrew, M. M and Lewis E. E. (1946) Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol 38, 870-7 Polytetrafluorethylene: heat-resistant, chemically inert plastic
  4. ^ a b www.boltonsociety.net Oral history: Malcolm Renfrew
  5. ^ "Plastic defies heat and acids". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. April 11, 1946. p. 1.
  6. ^ "Group tabs Renfrew". Spokane Daily Chronicle. Washington. October 20, 1977. p. 23.
  7. ^ "Phi Gamma Delta". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1932. p. 347. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  8. ^ "Juniors". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1931. p. 82. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  9. ^ a b Archived 2003-11-22 at the Wayback Machine Alumni Hall of Fame Award Winners - 1977
  10. ^ Minnesota Chemists Newsletter Spring 1985 page 9
  11. ^ M. M. Renfrew (1948) US Patent 2448828 Photopolymerization
  12. ^ M. M. Renfrew (1943) US Patent 2335133 Tooth Reconstruction
  13. ^ M. M. Renfrew & H. Wittcoff (1955) US Patent 2705223 Thermosetting resinous compositions from epoxy resins and polyamides derived from polymeric fat acids
  14. ^ Malcolm M. Renfrew (1950) US Patent 2534058 Polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene with dibasic acid peroxide catalysts This is cited by many other subsequent patents
  15. ^ a b Journal of the University of Idaho 1 Dec 2006
  16. ^ City of Moscow Arts Dept Third Street Gallery Celebrating 100 Years - Malcom Renfrew
  17. ^ University of Idaho News release, October 11, 2010 Celebrating a Century
  18. ^ "New campus building ready". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. (phot). June 4, 1964. p. 6.
  19. ^ University of Idaho - College of Science - Malcolm Renfrew turns 100 - October 2010
  20. ^ "Seniors". Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho yearbook. 1935. p. 39. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  21. ^ Moscow-Pullman Daily News online Jan 16, 2010, Obituary: Carol J. Campbell Renfrew
  22. ^ "Carol Renfrew (09/19/1913 - 01/12/2010)". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. (obituary). January 16, 2010.
  23. ^ Moscow Renaissance Fair 2001 Malcolm and Carol Renfrew
  24. ^ "A spirited song". Idahonian. Moscow. (photo). December 31, 1986. p. 1.
  25. ^ Smith, Christopher (September 24, 1988). "Gonna take a sentimental journey..." Idahonian. Moscow. p. 1B.
  26. ^ Woo, Elaine (October 15, 2013). "Malcolm Renfrew dies at 103; chemist helped develop Teflon". Los Angeles Times.
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