Linvil G. Rich

Linvil G. RichMarch 10, 1921 - September 29, 2011
Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus

Ph.D. Biochemistry, Virginia Tech, 1951
M.S. Sanitary Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1948
B.S. Civil Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1947

Licensed Professional Engineer
Certified by the American Academy of Environmental Engineers

Career Overview | Accomplishments | Honors

Career Overview

  • Asst. and Assoc. Professor Sanitary Engineering, Virginia Tech, 1951-1955
  • Assoc. and Professor Sanitary Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 1956-1960
  • Head, Civil Engineering, Clemson 1960-1961
  • Dean, College of Engineering, Clemson 1961-1972
  • Professor and Alumni Distinguished Professor of Environmental Engineering 1972-1987
  • Numerous consulting assignments sponsored both by industry and government

Career Accomplishments

  • Author of 5 books and over 50 technical papers
  • Introduced the unit operation and process approach to environmental process design
  • Developed a low-cost aerated lagoon system now widely used for secondary treatment (Aerated Lagoon Technology Technical Notes)
  • The founder of the Clemson Environmental Engineering programs
  • A founder of the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors
  • Active in establishing accreditation requirements for graduate environmental engineering programs

Awards & Honors

Honor Societies: Chi Epsilon (Civil Engineering); Tau Beta Pi (Engineering); Phi Sigma (Biology); Phi Lambda Epsilon (Chemistry); Phi Kappa Phi (General Academic); Sigma Xi (Research).

Fellow, American Society of Civil Engineers

Charter Member, Distinguished Alumni of Virginia Tech Civil Engineering Dept.

Charter Member, Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Distinguished Engineers

American Society of Civil Engineers Rudolph Hering Medal

Exceptional Service Award, National Wildlife Federation

Founders Award, Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors

Faculty Excellence Award, Clemson Board of Trustees

Career featured in the Environmental Engineer a publication of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers

Name given to the Clemson L. G. Rich Environmental Research Laboratory

Establishment of the Linvil G. Rich Fellowship Fund established at Clemson by the South Carolina Water Environment Association and the South Carolina Section of the American Water Works Association