Douglas L. Relyea ’60

Born in Hackensack, N.J., Doug was a chorister/student at St. Thomas Choir School, New York City, and then graduated as valedictorian from St. Peter’s School in Peekskill, N.Y. At Princeton he took the first steps on a lifetime career in chemical engineering with a BSE while honing his skill at cards at Elm Club. He earned an MSCE in 1963 and Ph.D. in 1965 at the University of Illinois.

Doug began his working career in 1965 with Humble Oil and Refining (then and now a subsidiary of Exxon Mobil) in Baytown, Texas. He spent his entire career with Exxon in Baytown, rising through a series of engineering positions and becoming a teacher and mentor to many young engineers there. Upon retirement from Exxon in 2000, he joined GDS Engineers in Baytown and did further work for Exxon until full retirement in 2011.

Doug was active in numerous youth, civic, and religious pursuits in Baytown, but his particular passion came to be Habitat for Humanity. He became construction manager of its new homes, an enthusiastic advocate, and a member of its board.

Doug died Oct. 3, 2020, of cancer. He is survived by one daughter, one son, eight grandchildren, and a host of devoted friends and extended family.