Donald Laverne Katz (August 1, 1907 – May 29, 1989) was an American

chemist A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a graduated scientist trained in the study of chemistry, or an officially enrolled student in the field. Chemists study the composition of ...

and

chemical engineer A chemical engineer is a professional equipped with the knowledge of chemistry and other basic sciences who works principally in the chemical industry to convert basic raw materials into a variety of Product (chemistry), products and deals with ...

.Memorial Tributes: National Academy of Engineering, Volume 4 (1991;National Academy of Engineering (NAE);Donald LaVERNE Katz
/ref>

Education

He received his B.S.E in 1931, his M.S. in 1932 and his Ph.D. in 1933; all in Chemical Engineering from

University of Michigan The University of Michigan (U-M, U of M, or Michigan) is a public university, public research university in Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States. Founded in 1817, it is the oldest institution of higher education in the state. The University of Mi ...

Life

Katz was born near

Jackson, Michigan Jackson is a city in Jackson County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The population was 31,309 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census. Located along Interstate 94 in Michigan, Interstate 94 and U.S. Route 127 in Michigan, U.S ...

in 1907. The 1983

National Medal of Science The National Medal of Science is an honor bestowed by the President of the United States to individuals in science and engineering who have made important contributions to the advancement of knowledge in the fields of behavioral science, behavior ...

was presented to Katz by President

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan (February 6, 1911 – June 5, 2004) was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party a ...

"for solving many practical engineering problems by delving into a wide group of sciences and making their synergistic effects evident." The President's National Medal of Science: Recipient Details;DONALD L. KATZ; Emeritus Professor
/ref> Katz was also noted for developing a hazard rating system for dangerous bulk cargoes. ''

The New York Times ''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...

'' called Katz an "oil expert". The

National Academy of Engineering The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) is an American Nonprofit organization, nonprofit, NGO, non-governmental organization. It is part of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), along with the National Academ ...

called him a "world leader" in reservoir engineering. Katz was chairman of the Chemical Engineering Department and A. H. White University Professor at the

. He was also a member of the

. Katz died in

Ann Arbor, Michigan Ann Arbor is a city in Washtenaw County, Michigan, United States, and its county seat. The 2020 United States census, 2020 census recorded its population to be 123,851, making it the List of municipalities in Michigan, fifth-most populous cit ...

in 1989. He was a father to Marvin L. Katz and Linda Katz.

Notable awards and honors

Katz received the following distinctions and honors: * 1950 Hanlon Award, Gas Processors Association * 1959 President,

American Institute of Chemical Engineers The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) is a professional organization for chemical engineers. AIChE was established in 1908 to distinguish chemical engineers as professionals independent of chemists and mechanical engineers. Curr ...

* 1959 Michigan Engineer of the Year,

Society of Petroleum Engineers The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit professional organization. SPE provides a worldwide forum for oil and natural gas exploration and production (E&P) professionals to exchange technical knowledge and best prac ...

* 1962 Distinguished Lecturer,

* 1963 Visiting Professor, National School of Chemistry, Rio de Janeiro * 1964 John Franklin Carll Award,

* 1964 Distinguished Faculty Achievement Award,

* 1964 Founders Award,

* 1967 Warren K. Lewis Award,

* 1968 Member,

* 1968 William H. Walker Award,

* 1969 Honorary Member,

Phi Lambda Upsilon Phi Lambda Upsilon National Honorary Chemical Society () was founded in 1899 at the Noyes Laboratory of the University of Illinois. Phi Lambda Upsilon was the first honor society dedicated to scholarship in a single discipline, chemistry. Objec ...

* 1970 Mineral Industries Award,

American Institute of Mining Engineers The American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers (AIME) is a professional association for mining and metallurgy, with over 145,000 members. The association was founded in 1871 by 22 mining engineers in Wilkes-Barre, Penns ...

* 1972 Distinguished Public Service Award, U.S. Coast Guard * 1975 E. V. Murphree Award,

American Chemical Society The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a scientific society based in the United States that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry. Founded in 1876 at New York University, the ACS currently has more than 155,000 members at all ...

* 1977 Gas Industry Research Award,

American Gas Association The American Gas Association (AGA) is an American trade organization founded in 1918 representing and advocating on behalf of local energy companies which deliver natural gas throughout the United States. History The American Gas Association was ...

* 1978 Lucas Gold Medal,

* 1979 Award of Merit, Michigan Historical Society * 1983 Selected as an Eminent Chemical Engineer, 75th Anniversary of American Institute of Chemical Engineers * 1983

* 1984 Designated Distinguished Member,

* 1986 Honorary Member,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Katz, Donald L. 1907 births 1989 deaths 20th-century American chemists 20th-century American engineers University of Michigan College of Engineering alumni Members of the United States National Academy of Engineering People from Jackson County, Michigan University of Michigan faculty Scientists from Ann Arbor, Michigan