The Department of Chemistry is saddened to announce the passing of alumnus and longtime supporter of the department, Dr. Herschel D. Porter who passed away Tuesday, July 31, 2012.

He was born in Silverton, Ohio on Aug. 9, 1924 and earned his B.S. from Wilmington College in 1944 and his Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1947. He was a research scientist from Eli Lilly & Co. from 1947 to 1990, and served as the treasurer of the Indiana chapter of the American Chemical Society (1982-84) and chairman in 1985; he was awarded its Outstanding Contribution Award in 1991. He also taught chemistry at Indiana Central College in the 1960s.

He is survived by his wife Angela; sister, Eleanor; son, Jon (Inge); two grandchildren; three stepchildren; three step-grandchildren; and former wife, Susan. He was predeceased by his parents and older brother.