Ellis D.
Ellis Daniel Verink Jr. was born on February 9, 1920, in Peking, China. He later established his professional and family life in the United States, living in Gainesville, Florida, for approximately four decades. He was married to Martha Owens Verink for 66 years and was the father of Barbara Verink and Wendy Verink-Terhune.
Verink studied metallurgical engineering, earning a Bachelor of Science from Purdue University in 1941, a Master of Science from The Ohio State University in 1963, and a Doctor of Philosophy from The Ohio State University in 1965. His academic preparation connected industrial experience in aluminum production and sales with later university teaching, research, and leadership in metallurgy, materials science, materials selection, and corrosion engineering.
Verink began his professional career as a U.S. Naval Reserve officer from 1941 to 1946. He then joined the Aluminum Company of America, working as an engineer in its Development Division from 1946 to 1948, manager of the Chemical Section of the Development Division from 1948 to 1959, and manager of Chemical and Petroleum Industry Sales in Pittsburgh from 1959 to 1962. While completing graduate study at Ohio State University, he developed the academic and research specialization that shaped the remainder of his career. In 1965 Verink joined the University of Florida as an associate professor of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. He became a professor in 1968, assistant chairman and professor in 1970, and chairman and professor of Materials Science and Engineering in 1973, holding the chairmanship through 1986. He was recognized as a Distinguished Service Professor from 1984 to 1991 and became professor emeritus in 1991. His University of Florida work included teaching and research on materials selection, corrosion, corrosion prevention, materials performance, and engineering education. His research included corrosion inhibitors, corrosion fatigue, aluminum alloys, materials selection, and the relationship between design and corrosion behavior. From 1966 to 1984 he also served as a consultant to The Aluminum Association and later became president of Materials Consultants, Inc. He served on the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board after appointment by President Ronald Reagan in 1989 and was appointed to a second term by President George H. W. Bush in 1990. His professional record included more than 75 technical papers, edited volumes and book chapters, national advisory work, and consulting assignments related to materials selection and corrosion.
Established a substantial academic and professional career in materials selection, corrosion engineering, and metallurgy, including more than 75 technical papers, edited books, and book chapters.
Led the University of Florida Department of Materials Science and Engineering as chairman from 1973 to 1986 and contributed to the development of materials-science education and research at the university.
Served on the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board, advising the United States government on materials and nuclear-waste issues.
(Paper presented at the annual meeting of the American Soc...)
1975Influence of Materials Selection and Design on Corrosion Behavior
(Paper concerning the relationship between engineering mat...)
1979(Materials Research Society Symposium Proceedings, volume ...)
1988(Edited volume in the Metallurgical Society Conferences se...)
1968A Simplified Approach to Corrosion Economic Calculations
(Article presenting an accessible method for calculating t...)
1982Substitution of Polymeric Materials for Critical Materials
(Article on replacing strategically important materials wi...)
1984Our Next National Crisis: Materials
(Article addressing materials resources and national suppl...)
1980Non-Fuel Materials—The Next National Crisis?
(Article on materials availability and national materials ...)
1980Materials Selection: A Capstone Course
(Article describing an advanced materials-selection course.)
1986He was a member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Gainesville, Florida.
Verink participated extensively in professional and technical organizations concerned with metallurgy, materials science, corrosion, and engineering education. He was a fellow of the Metallurgical Society and the American Society for Metals, served as president of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers in 1984, and served as president of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers from 1984 to 1987. He also served on the executive committee, board of directors, and board of trustees of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, acted as a three-term national director of NACE, and participated in National Academy of Sciences committees and other national advisory groups.
Fellow; president in 1984; recipient of the Educator of the Year Award in 1988.
The Metallurgical Society of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers , United States
Fellow, elected in 1978.
American Society for Metals , United States
President from 1984 to 1987 and three-term national director.
National Association of Corrosion Engineers , United States
1987
American Society of Materials International , United States
Sigma Xi , United States
Tau Beta Pi , United States
Colleagues and former students described Verink as kind, gracious, supportive, and influential as a mentor.
Verink was married to Martha Owens Verink for 66 years. They had two daughters, Barbara Verink and Wendy Verink-Terhune. His professional connections included long-term associations with the University of Florida, the Aluminum Company of America, The Aluminum Association, the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical and Petroleum Engineers, NACE, and the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board.
