Ralph Nelson

Education: BA Colby College (1960, chemistry), Ph.D. Princeton University (1963, physical chemistry), post-doc National Bureau of Standards (1963-65, infrared-spectroscopy), M.S.E. West Virginia University (1974, chemical engineering), various continuing education courses

Career Positions: taught chemistry at Middlebury College (1965-71) and West Virginia University (1971-1973), sabbatical year Brown University, technical assistance to manufacturing and internal consultant at DuPont (1974-99), taught continuing education courses and was an independent consultant after retirement.

Other Activities except W3R®-US: American Chemical Society: co-chair for national division meeting. American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE): chair of Particle Technology Forum (PTF) division of AIChE, co-chair for international PTF meeting.  Sons of the American Revolution (SAR): chapter and state offices in Delaware (1989-2009), Florida (2010-2018), and North Carolina (2019-present); national offices (Vice President General International and National Executive Committee (1999-2001).  Boy Scouts (1976-2008): Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, District Commissioner.  Delaware Genealogical Society (president 1995-97).

Publications: Books: Dispersing Powders in Liquids (1988), Delaware – 1782 Tax Assessments and Census Lists (1994), editor for the expanded version of Conversations with an Unrepentant Liberal (1995).  Articles: Multiple technical and non-technical.  Websites: created, managed, and wrote extensive portions of multi-hundred-page national education sites for the Particle Technology Forum (AIChE), the SAR, and the W3R-US.

Recognitions: Phi Beta Kappa 1960, Sigma Xi 1962 (science honor society), licensed Professional Engineer New Jersey 1980, Boy Scout Wood Badge 1993, National SAR Minuteman 2000, AIChE Fellow 2004, PTF Service award 2012.

W3R®-US activities: founding chair and incorporator 2003-04, chair 2009-10, national Director most years since incorporation, website manager in most years 2003-2018, driver for Lee Anderson’s 2004 northern trail hike, marched in Delaware with 2006 full-trail marchers, coordinated funding of Selig study in Delaware, coordinated several sign installations and commemorative events in Delaware, published articles and gave talks nationwide on French aid.  Participated in several ceremonies at Lafayette’s gravesite, visited his home (La Grange) and Rochambeau’s home in France.  Participated in WRRR activities in every state along the trail.