Dr. Vivian Thomas Stannett, Camille Dreyfus Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering and Dean Emeritus of the Graduate School at North Carolina State University, died on Oct. 1 at Raleigh Community Hospital. He was 85.

An internationally renowned polymer chemist, Stannett was a pioneer in the use of high-energy radiation to form new polymers or alter existing ones. He was a recognized leader in the study and application of membrane science and technology. His research helped lead to the development of a wide range of beneficial products, including super-absorbent paper towels and diapers, flame-resistant textiles and plastic bottles that keep soft drinks from going flat.

Born Sept. 1, 1917, in Langley, England, Stannett received his bachelor's degree in chemistry from London Polytechnic University in 1939, and his doctorate from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn in 1950 under the direction of Professor Herman Mark.

He served as professor of polymer chemistry at State University at Syracuse, N.Y., from 1952 to 1961, when he moved to North Carolina to become associate director of the Camille Dreyfus Laboratory at the Research Triangle Institute. He held that post until coming to NC State in 1967.

Stannett joined the NC State faculty as professor of chemical engineering. He then served as vice provost and dean of NC State's Graduate School from 1975 to 1982. He is credited with helping the university establish the nation's first doctoral program in textile chemistry.
Until his death, he continued to contribute to NC State's Department of Chemical Engineering and also served part-time as Camille Dreyfus scientist for the Research Triangle Institute.

During his career he served on the editorial boards of several professional journals and published about 400 papers and reviews on polymer science and technology.

Stannett received the North Carolina Science Award and Gold Medal, the highest science award given in the state of North Carolina, in 1981; the O. Max Gardner Award, the highest honor bestowed on faculty by the UNC system, in 1984; and the Holladay Medal, the highest honor given to faculty members by the NC State Board of Trustees and the university, in 1992.

Stannett also received the American Chemical Society Award in Polymer Chemistry, the Silver Medal of the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry, and the Society of Plastics Engineers International Award and Gold Medal, among other awards and honors.

"He was just a special person, a one-of-a-kind," said Dr. Hal Hopfenberg, Camille Dreyfus Professor of Chemical Engineering at NC State and a close colleague and friend of Stannett's. "He is single-handedly responsible for the growth of NC State's rise to prominence in engineering research."

Dr. Don Paul, professor of chemical engineering at the University of Texas, was also a colleague of Stannett's. "He had a tremendous impact on his profession. He was also a kind, gentle man who was very supportive of younger scientists. I never met a person who didn't like him," Paul said.

According to Chancellor Emeritus Larry Monteith, Stannett's presence at NC State attracted a number of top-notch scientists, and provided the impetus for NC State to become a center of excellence in graduate and engineering research.

"He will be missed," Monteith said. "He's an important part of NC State history. Anyone looking back at his time at the university will find that NC State prospered enormously thanks to his reputation and contributions."

Stannett was a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the New York Academy of Sciences, the American Chemical Society and the Society of Plastics Engineers.

He is survived by Susanne, his wife of 56 years; daughter Rosemary Royce and son-in-law Christopher Royce; grandchildren Julian, Trevor and Liam Royce; and sister-in-law Ellen Strauss of London.

A memorial service is planned for the afternoon of Monday, Oct. 21 in Raleigh. His remains will be interred in the Memorial Garden of Stoke Poges Church near Windsor, England.

Posted October 2, 2002

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