The W. Wesley Eckenfelder Fund

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W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr., Sc.D., P.E., BCEE
1926 to 2010

W. Wesley Eckenfelder, Jr. was a unique man. He was a pioneer in the field of wastewater treatment technology and a genius with the ability to carry on a normal conversation with anyone. A teacher, yet he never stopped learning. An entrepreneur for he stepped outside the borders of what he was taught and tried new ideas that led to new discoveries and techniques. His work, students, colleagues and clients composed his life, but his life was not all work - he had fun and lived life to the fullest. There was never a dull moment with Wes. His great sense of humor became cherished memories and unforgettable lessons for hundreds. He was a kind and generous man who thought of others. He gave to those who were willing to help themselves and gave back to those who helped him.

In later years, his vision and health started failing, but that did not stop him from working, teaching or learning. He could solve a problem and derive a complex formula in his mind's eye, then put it down on paper for others to see. He never stopped working and continues to work through those he taught, as well through the many books and papers he wrote. Wes was a man who helped the world's environment and impacted many peoples' lives. He is a man that can't be replaced and will never be forgotten.
Sharon Crossman

He was a gentleman, professor, scientist, engineer, counselor, father, husband, and an especially good friend. He was a scholar who had the rare ability to combine science and engineering in remarkable new ways. He combined soil bacteriology and sanitary engineering into a field of work that led him to become known internationally as "The King of BOD," a title he relished. Wesley taught the world how to conquer the most challenging waste water pollutants with his pioneering work.

Wesley had a formidable drive and he accomplished much. He became the world's leading authority in industrial water quality management, and is responsible for cleaning up more rivers, lakes and natural waters world-wide than any other person. He never retired from the work he loved so much and was actively working on industrial wastewater projects and drafting another textbook mere days before his passing.

Wes was a singularly excellent teacher, a true professor emeritus. He gave his students his undivided attention and advised them well, with a view to their personal path and success. He always made time for others. Wesley loved life, he loved people and he lived large, eagerly exploring what life had to offer. He traveled far, saw much and met the peoples of the world, earning the trust and esteem of thousands. His status as the premier international authority on water pollution control was well deserved.

When you were with Wesley Eckenfelder, you found yourself engaged in wonderful conversation, illuminating thought and likely a good drink to boot. If there is a bar in Heaven, Wes will be found there holding forth with his wry grin and Manhattan drawl, a twinkle in his eye, his glass half full, and a heck of a story to tell. God bless your wonderful, generous and noble life, Wesley. You are sorely missed, my friend.
William Ney Hansard, CET, CHMM, REA

Dr. Eckenfelder's death marks the end of an era in the environmental engineering profession. Everyone associated with this profession knew or knew of Wes. Those of us who knew him personally will be forever indebted to him for the wisdom and knowledge that he passed on and the contribution that our association with him made to our careers. His name will be forever linked to the field and particularly industrial wastewater treatment. Professor Eckenfelder embodied the nexus between academics and practice of industrial water pollution control. It was his unique way of making activated sludge theory come alive through his personal experience and practical application that set him apart and elevated his stature in the field. Wes was an inspiration to everyone whose lives he touched personally and professionally.
Kenneth N. Wood

Wes was the 'gray hair' at AWARE, the mentor to all of us recently-graduated students who came to work there in the '70s. At a time when there were lots of egos in the rapidly growing environmental field, he was great to work with - instructive, accepting of all of us who, at the time, had no stature in the field and were much less experienced than he, and forgiving of our mistakes borne of more confidence than experience. Despite his international reputation, his ego was never a factor in dealing with us.
Dr. John H. Koon, P.E., BCEE

I was perhaps only a second or third generation person to have interacted with Wes - via his close relationship with Jim Patterson, my MS mentor, and Cecil Lue-Hing. It was a true joy to read his autobiography, and a blessing to those yet younger still.

During my MS at IIT, Wes gave a seminar at IIT, and was asked a question about how EPA went about setting categorical pretreatment standards. He thought about it for about 15 seconds, and with the best of his oratorical use of his stutter he gave an answer "By communing with god in the restroom."
Dr. Charles "Chuck" Haas, BCEEM

Wes was a valued colleague of so many, a trusted friend and a great professional. It is indeed a very sad passing.
Dr. Richard "Dick" Speece

We lost a great man, colleague and friend. He was a giant and known as 'the godfather' in the industrial waste profession. He influenced and taught thousands of engineers and scientists through his books, workshops and courses. His lectures were the best and always entertaining. He was truly one-of-a-kind and a living legend. He'll will be greatly missed.
Joe Cleary, P.E., BCEE

Not only was Wes my Professor, but also my friend. I was very proud to be one of his students and for the mentoring I received from him. He instilled confidence in his students and his door was always open. He will always live in our hearts. His profound influence on our field will be with us and the younger generation for a long time to come. Farewell Wes.
Dr. James Barnard, Pr.Eng., BCEE

Unfortunately, this is the second friend named Eckenfelder that I have lost. The other was his son Larry, who was a Beta Theta Pi brother of mine at Vanderbilt. Wes gave me my first paying job in this field - as a research tech at Vandy when I was a senior and took an independent study course under Wes (for which I also received two semester hours credit and an 'A'). Of course, I had to work on weekends for a slave-driver Ph.D. student of Wes' by the name of Meint Olthof.
Dr. Jeff Pintenich, P.E., BCEE

Not only was he a great leader in our field, but a darn nice guy who treated others kindly. He has left so many of us with fond memories.
Dr. David Stensel, P.E., BCEE

He was a great all-round person who made complex things look easy. He helped so many people not only with technology, but even with a philosophy of life! We will all miss him anytime a tough problem arises and you need someone to make a technical presentation that all can understand. His memories will be around for years through his presentations, books and many students and colleagues. I remember when we lost one proposal and his comment was, "You win some and you lose some, get on with the next proposal." May his soul rest in peace!
Dr. Ajit Ghorpade

Wes will live on in all the memories and the people he has touched. Glen Daigger offered a toast to Wes and his great contributions at the Wastewater Modeling Conference in Quebec recently.
Krishna Pagilla

I'm sad because I have lost the person that has changed my family's life; the adviser that was always there for me; the teacher that was always challenging and rewarding me; and the friend with whom I have shared trips, meals, and a beer or a glass of wine. On the other hand, I'm relieved because his suffering has ended. He will always be in my heart! May his soul rest in peace!
Victor Boero

This is very sad news. Wes and the late Pete Krenkel have touched me in several ways, both personally and professionally. I met Wes first in 1969 at Pragues's IAWQ Conference where he was a keynote speaker and then again a month later in Wroclaw at a at a WHO (World Health Organization) workshop. This sealed my destiny and I joined Vanderbilt the same year. Both Wes and Pete became my teachers, mentors, friends and employers during a very difficult time of my life in the early '70s when they hired me as one of the first employees. My 'happy ending' is thanks to them and their friendship and guidance 40 years ago.
Dr. Vladimir Novotny, P.E., BCEE

To have so many friends is certainly the sign of a successful life!
Dr. Glen T. Daigger, P.E., BCEE

Not only was he a wonderful human being, but he made the field of 'Environmental Engineering' possible for the rest of us. He was in the trenches when it wasn't fashionable. We all owe him a great debt of gratitude for his willingness to persist on our behalf. He will be missed by all who knew him and by those who will follow in the future who did not get a chance to interact with him.
Dr. George Tchobanoglous, P.E., BCEE

We and the profession have loss an irreplaceable friend and colleague.
Dr. A.J. Englande, P.E., BCEE

It is not often that one has the opportunity to meet, let alone learn from, a person of his knowledge and stature. His legacy is the thousands of engineers that he taught. His contributions to society will endure forever. May his memory be eternal!
Jim Watkins

AIDIS ARGENTINA wants to be present at this unfortunate moment to bid Wesley Eckenfelder farewell. Wes, master of masters, will be remembered with eternal appreciation for his intelligence, dedication and gentlemanly manners. These words are our gratitude for his commitment and dedication on behalf of our associates and professionals in Argentina. Our most heartfelt condolences to his loved ones hoping you find in his memory the comfort you need.
Ing. Pablo Schifini

Wes Eckenfelder gave me the education, opportunity, and friendship that nobody in my life can even compare. I will miss him dearly, my professor and my friend.
Walter Chiang, P.E.

He will be missed very, very much.
Dr. Jeff Pintenich, P.E., BCEE

This is truly a sad day - one of the greatest is lost to us. Wes was a good friend to so many of us and mentored so many of us - it is difficult to realize that he is gone.
Frank Agardy

I am deeply saddened by the news.
Dr. Chriso Petropoulou, P.E., BCEE

I am shocked at the sad news of his passing. We will miss Wes, but honor him by remembering him.
Dr. Norbert Schmidtke, P.E., BCEE

I have known him over the years, since 1964, as a very insightful and sharing person. He has a very loyal and dedicate following.
Dr. Andrew W. Loven, P.E., BCEE

My friends at Brown and Caldwell forwarded your email about Wes' passing to me. Like all of us I held Wes in the highest regard and fortunately I had the pleasure of getting to know him personally.
Mark W. Tenney

What a loss. It's hard to imagine the world without Wes in it. He was bigger than life!.
Christy Lewis

This was saddening and surprising news - the latter because he and Joe Cleary were working on a book for my company. He was a guy who combined brilliance, kindness and fun; a person who not only wrote books but was part of a lot of great stories. I consider it an honor to have known him.
Joe Eckenrode

I remember him as a generous and open-minded teacher who was always trying to show the way to his students. I was able to enjoy his seminar at Vanderbilt and his lectures here in Argentina. He will remain among us in his thoughts and ideas.
Jorge Duran

From the Argentine National Institute of Water, please accept our heartfelt sincere condolence on the death of Dr. Eckenfelder who years ago transmitted knowledge of environmental engineering to Latin-America's young professionals.
Luis E. Higa

I probably read or made use of all of his textbooks over the years. Most recently, having retired from the real world at ADI Systems, I became an Adjunct Professor in Industrial Wastewater Treatment at the University of New Brunswick in Canada where I taught a grad course in industrial wastewater treatment and used a signed copy (04/13/05) of his most recent text Industrial Water Pollution Control. I'm sad that Wes has joined the dearly departed. There's no doubt that he influenced a whole boatload of engineers - and not just in the US.
Robert C. Landine

I met Wes the first time when he agreed to do our breakfast presentation at AIChE last year. He was a good guy. I'll always remember him.
Joseph S. Cavarretta, CAE