Former Clemson Dean Gene Rich receives Order of the Palmetto

Published: April 19, 2011

Gene Rich and his son, Graham, share a laugh at Rich's 90th birthday celebration. image by: Rich family

CLEMSON — The former Clemson University dean of engineering who created one of the nation's first environmental engineering departments has received the highest civilian honor awarded by the state of South Carolina.

Linvil Gene Rich received the Order of the Palmetto, which is awarded to persons who make contributions of statewide significance.

Named dean of engineering in 1961, Rich was instrumental in creating Clemson's first environmental systems engineering program, a graduate degree in the civil engineering department. He elevated the program to become its own department in 1968, making Clemson among the first universities to do so.

"Gene Rich placed Clemson far ahead of the curve in environmental engineering," said Clemson President James F. Barker. "He understood, long before there was anything like an Environmental Protection Agency, the environmental problems the country faced and the engineering solutions to those problems. He provided groundbreaking leadership and scholarship not only for Clemson, but for the entire field of environmental engineering."

Created in 1971 to recognize lifetime achievement and service, the Order of the Palmetto is bestowed by the governor. Presentation of the award was made by state Sen. Kevin Bryant Friday, April 15.

"This came as a complete surprise to me," Rich said. "But I think it helps frame the story of our department. We had one of the first departments in this field in the country, and it's good that this be recognized."

When he left the dean's office, Rich joined the faculty of the environmental systems engineering department (now environmental engineering and earth sciences, or EEES).

"Gene was instrumental in putting us on the national map," said David Freedman, a professor in the department. "As a result of his efforts, EEES has been one of the top 20 overall rated graduate programs in environmental engineering for many years.

"He did pioneering research on wastewater treatment, and the results of his work are reflected in the successful design and operation of treatment plants throughout the state and nation," Freedman said. "The award brings recognition to himself and the department he built into one of national standing."

Born in Pana, Ill., in 1921, Rich served in Europe in World War II in Gen. Patton's Third Army. After the war, he earned undergraduate and master's degrees in engineering and a doctorate in biochemistry from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University.

He worked at Virginia Polytechnic and the Illinois Institute of Technology before coming to Clemson in 1960 as head of civil engineering.

"There's no place like Clemson. I came down here in 1960 from Chicago. I was in a state of shock," he chuckled. "They've been wonderful years. Clemson is a great place to make a career and raise a family."

His 1961 text, "Unit Operations of Sanitary Engineering," was a pioneering work in the field. Providing a basis for the design of physical and chemical process in environmental engineering, it was one of five books and more than 50 technical papers he published in his career.

Rich retired from Clemson in 1986. The L.G. Rich Environmental Research Laboratory was dedicated Sept. 20, 1991, and a Linvil G. Rich Fellowship Fund has been established at Clemson by the South Carolina Water Environment Association and the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association.

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