Richard O. Steele *49

Richard Steele, a chemist who had been executive vice president of Celanese International, died Aug. 15, 2011. He was 89.

Steele graduated in 1942 from the University of North Carolina with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and went to work as a chemist for Rohm and Haas. During World War II, he worked on mildew-resistant and fire-retardant fabrics for tents in the Pacific theater. After the war, he came to Princeton and received a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1949.

Back at Rohm and Haas, Steele rose to lab oratory director and later director of research. In 1964, he received the Olney Medal for his contributions to the permanent-press process. In 1965, he joined the Celanese Corp. as head of research, eventually becoming executive vice president of Celanese International. This meant managing research and production facilities around the world.

In 1982, Steele retired to his summer home in Vermont. A loyal Princetonian, in 2010-11 he contributed to the Graduate School’s AG campaign for the 50th year.

He was predeceased in 1995 by his wife, Virginia. He is survived by two daughters and two grandchildren.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.