In Memoriam: William Ranz

William Ranz, a long-time professor of chemical engineering, died on Oct. 20, 2009. He was 87.

Born in Blue Ash, Ohio, Ranz served in the U.S. Army before earning his bachelor's degree in chemical engineering from the University of Cincinnati in 1947. He earned his master's degree in 1948 and his Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 1950, both from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He conducted postdoctoral studies in chemical engineering at Cambridge University in England in 1952-53.

Prior to joining the University of Minnesota faculty in 1958, Ranz served on the faculties of Pennsylvania State University and the University of Illinois.

At the University of Minnesota, Ranz was a recognized leader in advancing the field of chemical engineering with his research in aerosol technology, spray nozzle performance, turbulent mixing, and process engineering.

During the early 1960s, Ranz led the restructuring of basic undergraduate courses in the "Principles of Chemical Engineering," advanced the concept of team teaching--a concept that became the cornerstone of undergraduate curriculum, and was recognized for teaching excellence in 1965 by receiving the University of Minnesota Distinguished Teaching Award.

Ranz retired from active teaching in 1992 and served as professor emeritus of the Chemical Engineering Department.

October 28, 2009