Dr. Alex Golden Oblad, age 90, passed away peacefully on September 19, 2000 at his Salt Lake City home.
Alex was born November 26, 1909 to Alexander Hugo Oblad and Louie May Brewster Oblad in Salt Lake City, the second of five children, three boys and two girls. Alex, a creative and adventurous young man, grew up in Sugarhouse and graduated from East High School. An accomplished musician, Alex played the clarinet and saxophone in a jazz band to pay his way through college.
While playing in Escalante, UT, Alex met his future wife, Bessie Elizabeth Baker. They were married February 23, 1933 in the Salt Lake Temple.
An outstanding student, Alex earned a BA in Chemistry at the University of Utah, 1933, an MA in Physical Chemistry, (U. of U 1934,) and a PhD in Physical Chemistry at Purdue University in 1937.
Alex had a distinguished career in private industry between 1937 and 1969, serving as vice president of two companies, Houdry Process Corp. in Philadelphia and M.W.
Kellogg Company in New York City.
While in private industry, Alex's work in the development of synthetic ammonia technology set the foundation for the fertilizer industry that has helped improve crop production to feed hungry people throughout the world.
Alex pioneered the investigation of catalytic cracking and reforming which provided the processes necessary to produce high-octane fuel and explosives that helped win World War II. Alex also discovered and patented the chemical used to make the filament for padded furniture, a process still in use today.
In 1964, Alex was instrumental in conceptualizing and developing what would become the University of Utah's Research Park, where thousands are now employed.
In 1969, Alex joined the U. of U. faculty where he was a dedicated professor for the next 26 years, retiring in 1995 at the age of 85. Alex was devoted to his students, helping them develop into scholars and young researchers. He was much loved by his students and colleagues for his enthusiasm, support, and creativity.
While at the U. of U., Alex became a world leader in research on production of synfuels from tar sands and established the U.'s Tar Sand Research and Development programs involving professors, graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
Alex started several undergraduate student scholarships and has been a generous contributor to Utah higher education.
Alex was acting Dean of the College of Mines and Earth Sciences from 1972 - 1975, as well as Distinguished Professor of Metallurgy and Fuels Engineering. In 1989, the U. of U. appointed Alex to the special rank of Dean Emeritus. Alex holds honorary degrees from the University of Utah and Purdue University as well as Distinguished Alumni awards from both institutions.
Alex was a member of the National Academy of Engineering; Secretary/Treasurer of the Petroleum Chemistry Division of the American Chemical Society, 1952-1954; member of the National Advisory Council for the University of Utah and National Advisory Council for BYU's College of Business. Alex was awarded the American Chemical Society's E.V. Murphree Award for excellence in industrial and engineering chemistry.
Along with his accomplishments in industry and education, Alex was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Together, Alex and Bessie raised six children: Alex Edward (Gladys), Elizabeth Sonne (David), Virginia Christensen (William Pearson), John (Shauna), Hayward Brewster (Nan), and Jean Calder (Scott). Alex and Bessie have been blessed with 23 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Alex was always a gentleman and his warmth, generosity and good humor were felt by all who knew him. He was honest, loyal, and hardworking and spent countless hours with his family and in service to others.
Alex is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and loving sisters Leone Fisher and Lucille Voris. Alex was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws and two brothers, Don and Sherman.
Services will be held Saturday, Sept. 23, 2000 at the Monument Park Stake House, 1320 S. Wasatch Dr., Salt Lake City at 12 noon. Viewings will be held Friday Sept. 22 at Larkin Sunset Lawn Mortuary, 2350 E. 1300 S., from 6 - 8 p.m. and at 11 a.m. prior to the funeral at the Monument Park Stake House.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Oblad Energy Scholarship at the University of Utah; 304 Park Building, Development Center U. of U. SLC, UT. 84112 or a charity of your choice.