Walter M. Urbain

Walter Mathias Urbain (1910 -January 15, 2002) was an American food scientist who was involved in food engineering, irradiation, and meat science.

Career

He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Chicago in 1934, then went to work for Swift & Company from 1934 to 1966 in research and development. Urbain would eventually rise to Director, Engineering Research, holding that position from 1950 to 1966. Urbain left Swift for Michigan State University in 1965 where he worked on irradiation, acting as a lead consultant to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Austria and also consulting on projects with international governments. Urbain retired in 1975 though he served as a visiting professor to the University of California, Davis and as a consultant to the IAEA.

Urbain played a critical role in the American Chemical Society, the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (American Society of Agricultural Engineers: 1907-2005), and the Institute of Food Technologists, serving in all three organizations. He also earned two patents and published 36 scientific papers as well.

Death

Urbain died in Dallas, Texas on January 15, 2002.

Professional activities

*American Chemical Society: Chair of the Chicago, Illinois section - 1949.
*American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers: FPSA-FPEI Food Engineering Award - 1976.
*Institute of Food Technologists:
**Editor-In-Chief of "Journal of Food Science" and Scientific Editor of "Food Technology" - May 1966 to June 1970.
**Fellow - 1970, among the first class of 27 fellows inducted.

References

*"In Memoriam: Walter Mathias Urbain." "Food Technology." March 2002: p. 83.
*Mermelstein, N.H. and F.R. Katz. "Advancing Food Science and Technology for Fifty Years." "Food Technology." January 1997: pp. 8-11.

External links

* [http://www.ift.org/cms/?pid=1000288 List of IFT Fellows]
* [http://chemhistory-chicago.org/acs.html List of ACS Chicago section chairs: 1894-1960]
* [http://www.asabe.org/awards/major/iafis.html FPSA-FPEI Food Engineering Award winners]
* [http://newsbulletin.msu.edu/march28/deaths.html Michigan State University death listing - March 28, 2002]