Harry Deans, retired professor of chemical engineering at the University of Wyoming, died Dec. 22, 2014, at age 82.
Deans graduated from Rice University with a bachelor of arts degree, a bachelor of science degree, and a master’s degree in 1953, 1954, and 1956, respectively, in chemical engineering. In 1960, he earned a Ph.D. in chemical engineering from Princeton, and then taught chemical engineering at Rice for many years. In 1974, he received the Brown Award for Teaching at graduation ceremonies.
After Rice, Deans joined the faculty at the University of Houston for eight years. He then spent three years at Exxon Production Research facilities in Houston before moving to a tenured position at the University of Wyoming. He retired from Wyoming’s department of chemical engineering after 12 years.
Deans was known in the petroleum-engineering field as the inventor of enhanced oil-production techniques. He was reportedly a man of great kindness who spent much time mentoring students.
He is survived by his wife, Delora, whom he married in 1975, and their daughter. With his first wife, Karolyn, Deans had five children, four of whom survived into adulthood. He also leaves 12 grandchildren and two stepchildren.
Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA