Stevens Institute of Technology - Link Yearbook (Hoboken, NJ)

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In Memoriam

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Doctor William E. Geyer ith the passing of Dr. William E. Geyer on October 8, 1935, the scien- tific world lost an esteemed colleague, and Stevens lnstitute of Tech- nology lost an invaluable friend. Death found Dr. Geyer peaceful in the knowledge that, in eighty-seven years of life, he had given more than his share towards Man's progress, even though his rewards were far less than his due. Young William E. Geyer received his AB. from C.C.N.Y. in l859. Follow- ing his graduation, he spent a few months as chemical assistant in the Bellevue Hospital Medical College. The dullness of this task convinced him that he was not suited for a medical career, and he applied to Dr. Henry Morton for a teaching position in the recently established engineering col- lege and preparatory school of which the latter was president. As a result, he became an instructor in mathematics, physics, and chemistry in the Stevens Preparatory School. He soon proved himself to be so interested and proficient in laboratory work that he was made the Presidents research assistant and personal consultant. At the l877 commencement, William E. Geyer was given the degree of BS., as a Stevens alumnus, in recognition of his valuable research in chem- istry and physics. Three years later he was honored with the degree of Ph.D. ln l883 he left the Preparatory School and became Professor of Applied Elec- tricity in the lnstitute. At the death of Dr. Alfred Mayer in l897, Dr. Geyer was given the Chair of the Physics Department and became Professor of General Physics and Applied Electricity. ln l9U2, he gave up the electricity lectures and devoted his time to the Physics Department with the title of Professor of Physics. ln 1907, he retired from active service at Stevens. Fol- lowing his retirement he resided in Boonton, N. I., with his wife, the former Emilia K. Sauer, who died in l9U8. Dr. Geyer remained in Boonton until his death. Dr. Geyer was imbued with a fervent love of research, and his thirst for knowledge was unguenchable. Electricity and the chemistry of colors engaged his deepest attention. Through an intensive study of aniline dyes, he became an internationally recognized authority, later serving as adviser to many corporations and courts of patent litigation. Retirement brought no cessation in his study and research, for recreation he developed extensive fruit and flower gardens on his Boonton property. Dr. Geyer had a quiet and sincere personality. He was not given to the cultivation of many intimate friends, but his understanding and sympathy made it a privilege to know him. Stevens' regard for Dr. Geyer was returned in thought and deed. The Geyer Athletic Field at the Stevens Camp, presented to the lnstitute by Dr. Geyer, commemorates his generosity and affection for Stevens. No such monument as Geyer Field, however, commemorates the life of service and accomplishment to which this page is dedicated. And rightly so, for just as in life this man asked no greater reward than the satisfaction of accom- plishment, so in death he would wish for no more than a niche in the mem- ories of those who knew a better day or a better hour for having known him. Dr. Geyer passed into a larger Life from an earthly career marked with those rare qualities of mind and spirit which make some lives worth remem- bering and holding up as examples to others. Twenty-six

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HARVEY NATHANIEL DAVIS, A.B., A.M., Ph.D., LLD., Sc.D. President of Stevens Institute of Technology and Professor of Mechanical Engineering Arty TBII5 fI1BK, EE, AB., Brown University, 1901, A.M., Harvard University, l903, PhD., Harvard University, 1908, LLD., Rutgers University, 1928, SCD., Brown University, 1928, Fellow: American Society for the Advancement of Science, American Physical Society, American Academy of Arts and Sciences, Franklin Institute, Member: America Mathematical Society, Washington Academy of Sciences, American Society of Mechanical Engi- neers CV.P. 19301. PERCY I-IODGE, A.B., B.S., Ph.D. Professor of Physics H9115 EE, AB., Western Reserve University, 1892, B.S., Case School, 1894, Ph.D., Cornell University, 1908, Fellow: American Society for the Advancement of Science: Member: American Physical Society, Optical Society of America, American Society for Steel Treating, American Association of Physics Teachers. FRANCIS IONES POND, B.S., A.M., PhD., Sc.D. Professor of Chemistry and Director of the Morton Memorial Laboratory of Chemistry EX, fI'K'I', THU, B.S., Pennsylvania State College, 1892, A.M., Ph.D., University of Gottingen, Germany, 1896, Sc.D., Stevens Institute of Technology, 1929, Member: American Chemical So- ciety, Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, Fellow: American Association tor the Advancement of Science. FRANKLIN DeRONDE FURMAN, M.E. Dean of Stevens Institute of Technology and Professor of Machine Design GE, TBH, IIFM5 M.E., Stevens Institute of Technology, 1893, Fel- low: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Member: American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Society for the Promotion of Engineering Education, Necomen Society, Eastern Association of College Deans and Advisers of Men. Ti-IE LINE 5 ' ill Twenty-eigh