1915
Kermit
2007
Kermit S. LaFleur
February 14, 1915 — October 27, 2007
Dr. Kermit S. LaFleur, Clemson
Dr. Kermit Stillman LaFleur, chemist, researcher, Professor Emeritus, and thinker, of 150 Downs Boulevard Clemson, SC died October 27, 2007.
Born in Waterville, Maine in 1915, he was the oldest son of Daniel K. and Louise Pelletier LaFleur. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colby College (Waterville, Maine) he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, captain of the track team, and a letterman in football, basketball, field and track.
During his first career he was a textile dye and fiber research chemist and technical superintendent of woolen mills at Deering Milliken in Union, SC and Spartanburg, SC where his work generated numerous international patents. In 1966 he left his position as Senior Scientist at Milliken Research Corporation in Spartanburg to complete a doctorate in soil chemistry at Clemson University where he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi. Dr. LaFleur began his second career at Clemson University, teaching and conducting a variety of research investigations. His many publications in soil chemistry/agronomy achieved international recognition.
An intellectual with diverse interests, Dr. LaFleur was an expert marksman who was small-bore rifle champion of the southeast in the 1950s. In retirement he remained intellectually active into his 90s, exploring and examining the history of man, the nature of the universe, and quantum physics, writing numerous, unpublished papers. He also painted landscapes and researched golf club, rifle and tennis racquet design.
Although Dr. LaFleur retained his membership in his grandfather's Baptist church in Waterville Maine, he sang and soloed in the choirs of Presbyterian churches in Union, Spartanburg and Clemson.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Crowley LaFleur, a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Karen LaFleur Stewart and Dr. H. E. Stewart of Greenville, a brother and sister-in-law, the Reverend and Mrs. Kenneth G. LaFleur of East Vassalboro, Maine, and step-grandchildren, Dr. Lynn Stewart of Indianapolis and Scott Stewart of Clemson, nephews and their wives Edward C. and Ruth Weaver of Heuchera Arizona and Robert and Charlaine Crowley of Rialto California.
Memorial service will be Thursday at 2pm in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. A private committal service will be held prior to the memorial serice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, which is assisting the family.
Dr. Kermit Stillman LaFleur, chemist, researcher, Professor Emeritus, and thinker, of 150 Downs Boulevard Clemson, SC died October 27, 2007.
Born in Waterville, Maine in 1915, he was the oldest son of Daniel K. and Louise Pelletier LaFleur. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Colby College (Waterville, Maine) he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha, captain of the track team, and a letterman in football, basketball, field and track.
During his first career he was a textile dye and fiber research chemist and technical superintendent of woolen mills at Deering Milliken in Union, SC and Spartanburg, SC where his work generated numerous international patents. In 1966 he left his position as Senior Scientist at Milliken Research Corporation in Spartanburg to complete a doctorate in soil chemistry at Clemson University where he was inducted into Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Xi. Dr. LaFleur began his second career at Clemson University, teaching and conducting a variety of research investigations. His many publications in soil chemistry/agronomy achieved international recognition.
An intellectual with diverse interests, Dr. LaFleur was an expert marksman who was small-bore rifle champion of the southeast in the 1950s. In retirement he remained intellectually active into his 90s, exploring and examining the history of man, the nature of the universe, and quantum physics, writing numerous, unpublished papers. He also painted landscapes and researched golf club, rifle and tennis racquet design.
Although Dr. LaFleur retained his membership in his grandfather's Baptist church in Waterville Maine, he sang and soloed in the choirs of Presbyterian churches in Union, Spartanburg and Clemson.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Crowley LaFleur, a daughter and son-in-law, Dr. Karen LaFleur Stewart and Dr. H. E. Stewart of Greenville, a brother and sister-in-law, the Reverend and Mrs. Kenneth G. LaFleur of East Vassalboro, Maine, and step-grandchildren, Dr. Lynn Stewart of Indianapolis and Scott Stewart of Clemson, nephews and their wives Edward C. and Ruth Weaver of Heuchera Arizona and Robert and Charlaine Crowley of Rialto California.
Memorial service will be Thursday at 2pm in the chapel of Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home. The family will receive friends after the service at the funeral home. A private committal service will be held prior to the memorial serice.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of the Upstate, 1835 Rogers Road, Anderson, SC 29621.
Condolences may be expressed online at www.robinsonfuneralhomes.com or in person at Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home, Central-Clemson Commons, which is assisting the family.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Kermit S. LaFleur, please visit our flower store.
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