Dysart E Holcomb

Dysart E. Holcomb, 92, died Friday, February 26, 2010.     Mr. Holcomb was born  May 1, 1917, to Jennie Dysart and Henry Alvin Holcomb in Wellington, TX.  He attended Texas Technological College in Lubbock, TX, receiving his Bachelor's Degree in chemical engineering.  He earned his Masters's Degree in 1938 and his PhD in 1941 from the University of Michigan.        While at the University of Michigan he met Miss Margaret Appleman; they wed on August 6, 1938..     Mr. Holcomb was a chemical engineer with Universal Oil Products during World War II, an associate professor of chemical engineering at Purdue University; senior projects technologist with Sinclair Refining Company,  Dean of Engineering at Texas Tech;  president of  Texas Western College, director of research and development of El Paso Natural Gas and Gas Products Company; and vice-president of research, engineering, and development for Pennzoil.    Mr. Holcomb was a lifetime member of AIChE, a distintuished alumnus of the University of Michigan and Texas Tech, and a charter member of the honor society Tau Beta Pi.  He authored sixteen technical publications and was listed in Who's Who in America and Leaders in Science.  He also served as director of the El Paso branch of the Federal Reserve Bank and the Texas Tech University Foundation.  He remained a devoted alumnus of both the University of Michigan and Texas Tech throughout his lifetime.    He was preceded in death by Margaret Holcomb, his wife of 66 years;  his elder son, Dysart, Jr; and his three brothers, H. A., Carter, and Sam..    Survivors include three children, Ann Todd and husband Frank of Bushland; Carolyn Bjorkback of Springfiedl, IL; and John Holcomb of Pacific Grove, CA.  His six grandchildren are Jennifer Hawley and husband Kyle of Amarillo; Amy Shupp and husband Anthony of Midland; Erica Jimenez of Chatam, IL; Jamie Bailey of Shreveprort, LA; and Kate and Anna Holcomb.  Mr. Holcomb's six great-grandchildren are Aaron and Sydnie Hawley;  Emma, Claire, and Blaine Shupp; Brandon Jimenez; and Ashlyn Bailey.  He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Johnson ,of San Diego, CA,    Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, March 1, 2010, at Brentwood Chapel, Schooler Funeral Home, 4100 S. Georgia. Rev. Allan Williamson will officiate. Private burial will be held at Llano Cemetery.

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