Professor William W Shuster

Professor William W. Shuster, 85

Troy Professor William W. Shuster, 85, of Burdett Avenue, died Thursday at Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center Troy, after a long illness.

Born in Norristown, PA, he was son of the late William C. and Jessie Brewster Shuster and husband of the late BarbaraBrockway who died in 1942 and Nancy Duffie Shuster, his wife of 54 years. He was a resident of Melrose for 40 years, moving to the Beechwood Retirement Community in Troy in 1993. He was a graduate of Norristown High School where he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1981. He earned his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Chemical Engineering degrees from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

He was employed as a Process Engineer at E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. in Belle, West Virginia from 1939-45 and in 1946 came to RPI as an Instructor of Chemical Engineering. His career with RPI spanned over 40 years, and included Associate Professor, Professor, Chairman of Bio-Environmental Engineering, Director of the Environmental Engineering Program which he helped establish, on of the first in the nation. He became Emeritus Professor of the Chemical and Environmental Engineering program in 1983.

He was appointed Chairman of the New York State Hazardous Waste Disposal Advisory Committee, and New York State Technical Advisory Committee on Hazardous Waste Disposal by Gov. Hugh L. Carey. Professor Shuster received many awards and honors including a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemical Engineering, a Diplomate of the American Academy of Environmental Engineering, Sigma Xi- honorary research society, Phi Lambda Epsilon- national chemistry honorary society, a recipient of the Distinguished Faculty Award and a recipient of the RPI Silver Bowl Award. He was a member of many professional societies, the American Institute of Chemical Engineering, the American Academy of Environmental Engineering, the Environmental Division of A.I.Ch.E. and the American Society for Engineering Education.

Professor Shuster was involved in many civic organizations including a Scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 16 in WV, a committeeman for Scout Troop 80 and Cub Pack 80 in Melrose, president of the Melrose Fire Company, Commissioner of the Melrose Fire District, Schaghticoke Environmental Advisory Council, Rensselaer County Environmental Management Council and Sewer District Advisory Council, president of the Hudson-Mohawk Bird Club and Beechwood Board of Directors and a member Eddy Cohoes Rehabilitation Center Board. He was formerly an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy having served as Trustee, Elder, Deacon and Church Treasurer and currently a member of Brunswick Presbyterian Church.

Survivors in addition to his wife include a daughter, Barbara Shuster Huntington (Benjamin) of Evergreen, CO; five sons, Dale Allen Shuster (Julie) of Glendale, WI, William C. Shuster (Chris) of Seward, AK, Dr. Robert Shuster (Rebecca) of Omaha, NE, Dr. Edward Shuster of Greenwich, NY and Charles John Shuster (Tracy) of Schaghticoke; 9 grandchildren; 2 great grandsons and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters Elizabeth Harford and Wilhelmina Block.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Memorial service which will be held Monday April 7^th at 11:00am at the Brunswick Church on White Church Road. A calling hour will be held from 10-11am prior to the service. Interment Memory's Garden Colonie.

Contributions may be made in memory of Professor Shuster to the Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center 2256 Burdett Avenue Troy, NY 12180 or Brunswick Church 42 White Church Lane Troy, NY 12180. Visit www.brycefh.com for a private family guest book and service directions.

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