This just in from an “intrepid reporter”:(from page 13 of The Valchemist, Journal of the Connecticut Valley Section, American Chemical Society.
Obituary
William L. “Bill†Masterton passed away on June 19, 2005. He is survived by his wife Loris with whom he shared 52 years of marriage; two sons, Fred and Reynold “Peterâ€; and four grandchildren – Meghan, Jennifer, Jessica, and Kevin. Bill lived in both Mansfield, CT and his family homestead in Center Conway, NH.He served in the US Army in 1946 and 1947 and was stationed in Korea. He earned his PhD in chemistry from the University of Illinois in 1953, and was professor of chemistry at the University of Connecticut from 1955 until retirement in 1987. During his tenure at the University, he received an award as Best Teacher in 1966, and his freshman chemistry classes were always “standing room only.†He served as president of the UConn Chapter, American Association of University Professors. He is perhaps best known for writing several editions of the freshman chemistry textbook Chemical Principles with co-authors Emil Slowinski (early editions) and Cecile Hurley (later editions).
He recently turned his lifelong interest in the famous Lizzie Borden case into a historical novel, Lizzie Didn’t Do It, defending his theory that Lizzie was innocent, and giving his version of the events of August 4th 1892. Bill was also an avid trout fisherman and strong supporter of causes such as Habitat for Humanity and the Carter Center. He will be greatly missed by family, friends, and colleagues.
