HERTHA SKALA HAENSEL

AMHERST, Hertha Skala Haensel, 92, of Amherst, died peacefully at home Saturday, June 30, 2012, with family and friends at her side.

She was the widow of UMass Chemical Engineering Professor Vladimir “Val” Haensel.

Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, she received a degree in pharmaceutical chemistry from the University of Vienna and came to the United States in 1947. She worked for three firms in the Chicago, Illinois, area before joining Universal Oil Products (UOP), in 1954.

In 1968 Hertha became the first woman in UOP’s history to be promoted to the level of assistant director; she later became Director of Catalysis Research. A valued mentor, she led teams credited with the development of many projects that were instrumental in cutting greenhouse gases, most notably the automobile catalytic converter. She also co-authored several U.S. and foreign patents. For her, the challenge of science is what made it so intriguing.

She is survived by her daughter, Kathee Webster, of Virginia Beach, Virginia; three grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. Memorial service will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the following: the University of Massachusetts’ Vladimir Haensel UOP Award Fund; the National Academy of Engineering; Grace Church of Amherst; Amherst’s public libraries.

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