Retired Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering Passes Away

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Charles M. "Chuck" Thatcher

Distinguished Professor of the Ralph E. Martin Department of Chemical Engineering Charles "Chuck" M. Thatcher, 98, passed away peacefully on January 27, 2021, after succumbing to colon cancer.

Thatcher was born on April 4, 1922, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He was the first son of his parents. Thatcher graduated from high school as valedictorian in the 1939. He enjoyed a variety of activities — editing his high school newspaper, serving in the National Honor Society, playing football, playing trombone, singing, acting, sailing, swimming and skiing. After graduation, Thatcher attended the University of Michigan, where he received his B.S.E. in chemical engineering in 1943. He was a newspaper editor, played in the marching band and was a member of the All-Campus Honor Society. He enlisted in the ROTC and became Cadet Colonel; he became a brother in Sigma Chi Fraternity and received the National Balfour Award for Leadership. He also started singing in his first of many barbershop quartets.

Following his service in the Army, Chuck married Florence Reilly. The couple returned to Michigan where Thatcher earned his M.S.E. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering. In 1947, he began a lifelong career in education as an assistant dean of students before joining the chemical engineering faculty. In 1965, Thatcher left Ann Arbor to take a position as professor at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. Thatcher was promoted to dean of Pratt's School of Engineering and Science.

Thatcher enjoyed telling people that he taught his first class for pay in 1943 and his last in 2006, a span of over 60 years in education that continued unofficially until he died.

"Dr. Thatcher is a legend in the department — the kind of professor that you hear stories about from alumni and colleagues," said Dave Ford, chemical engineering department head. "He had a keen intellect and motivated an entire generation of our students to do their best."

In 1970, Thatcher left New York, after completing his deanship, to become a distinguished professor at the U of A. While here, he served as interim department head, authored a third textbook and received the All-Campus Award for Teaching Excellence. Thatcher served as chair of Campus Faculty, helped create a University Faculty Teaching Academy and became its first president, received the Reynolds Metals Company Plaque Award for consulting service and delivered frequent lectures on various topics. Thatcher retired from the U of A in 1992 in deference to a university policy mandating retirement at age 70. However, he was so well remembered that he was called back to teach chemical engineering in 2005 and 2006.

"Anyone who had Dr. Charles Thatcher as an engineering professor would tell you what an incredible teacher he was. There was nothing like his powerful presence in the classroom," said Heather Walker, assistant professor of chemical engineering. "His intellect and quick wit kept everyone on their toes. It wasn't uncommon to see him jumping on desks and throwing coins at students. He also cared enough to know every student's name on the first day. Decades of engineering students have been impacted and inspired by Dr. Thatcher. He has shaped a generation of engineers and left a great legacy in our department."

A full obituary is available on the Boakes Funeral Home Inc. website.