Judd Diefendorf

Russell Judd Diefendorf, 93, of Seneca, SC, passed away peacefully on October 24, 2024, after a long and admirable battle with leukemia. Judd was born in Mount Vernon, NY, the youngest of three sons of Warren Edwin and Martha Catharine Diefendorf. A 1949 graduate of The Stony Brook School in Long Island, NY, Judd went on to attend University of Rochester and University of Toronto, where he earned his Ph. D. in Physical Chemistry in 1958.

At 6’ 3” and possessing an athletic build, Judd played basketball at U. of R. and was a member of two undefeated football teams. During his junior year Judd met a nursing student from Jamestown, NY, by the name of Myrle Warn. Their first date out for supper lasted six hours and they were married a year later. Myrle and Judd celebrated 72 years of marriage this past September.

 Judd began his career in scientific research at G. E.’s Missile & Space Div. While there, he developed pyrolytic-graphite, a new sheet-like material that was more efficient at conducting heat. Judd’s innovative thinking caught the attention of the U. S. Navy’s Special Projects Office and resulted in G. E. being awarded a major contract to make reentry shields and rocket nozzles. Around this time Judd, age 28, was invited by the Dept. of Defense to serve on a scientific advisory board for the U. S. Air Force. Throughout the ensuing decades Judd served on numerous government advisory boards and served as a consultant in advanced composite materials to the Air Force, Navy, and NASA. Perhaps one of the most exciting occurrences in Judd’s early career at G. E. was when he was chosen to be an exhibitor at the New York World’s Fair of 1964-65.

In 1965 Judd was recruited by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) and later became Director of the engineering program in Advanced Composites. Driven by his passion for teaching and his famous creative spirit, he developed a NASA-funded program encouraging undergrads to design, construct and fly their own sailplanes using composite materials. Over the next 25 years at RPI, Judd worked closely with 100’s of graduate students, helping to launch their careers in chemistry, engineering, and aeronautics. Judd and Myrle hosted many Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for international grad students that had no family in the States but had enrolled at RPI just to have the opportunity to work and research with Professor Diefendorf in his labs.

In 1990, after 25 years at RPI, Judd decided it was time for a change and accepted the P. W. McAllister Professorship at Clemson University in South Carolina. The position at Clemson was especially enticing as it presented Judd, who always loved a challenge, with the opportunity to teach the science of ceramics – an area less familiar to him. Unsurprisingly, when he retired 10 years later as the McAllister Professor Emeritus of Ceramic Engineering, he was recognized as the American Ceramic Society’s James

Mueller Memorial lecturer in honor of the “spirit and vision” with which he’d pursued advanced ceramics. Judd leaves behind an extensive and remarkable legacy of scientific achievements from his 60+ year career in aeronautics, engineering, research, and academia. His list of lifetime honors and awards is long. Among the last, and perhaps most reflective of his lifelong passion for research and teaching, came in 2007 when he travelled to Tokyo to receive the Japanese Union of Scientists and Engineers’ Ishikawa Prize – an award given to him for his ‘positive impact upon humankind’ and one usually bestowed upon a Japanese citizen.

While Judd possessed a brilliant scientific mind, he also had a creative side and pursued many hobbies, most notably woodturning. Over the years he hand-crafted 100’s of bowls, platters and unique furniture pieces made from exotic woods he gathered from all over the world, gifting them to family, friends, and students. Judd also enjoyed entertaining the children with magic tricks, setting off 4 th of July fireworks, listening to jazz, cooking, and photography. In his later years Judd enjoyed swimming, reading, and relaxing at their home in the woods with a pup in his lap while cheering on the Tigers.

A wonderful perk that came with Judd’s scientific endeavors was the opportunity to frequently travel abroad for meetings and presentations. Myrle would sometimes accompany Judd to events which were held in locations such as France, Poland, Germany, China, Italy and England where they made many lasting friendships.

Judd is survived by his wife, Myrle J. Diefendorf; their four children, Richard Diefendorf (Anna) of Supply, NC, Catherine Diefendorf (Thomas Murphy) of Central, SC, Amy Doty (Richard Landreman) of Morristown, NJ, Sara Quinn (Gregory Stacy) of Baltimore MD; five grandchildren, Ian Quinn, Haley Quinn, Sarah Bell (Stewart), Monica Diefendorf, Brooke Doty; great-grandchild, Catherine Bell; and nieces, nephews, and dear friends. In addition to his parents, Judd was predeceased by his brothers Warren E. Diefendorf, Jr., and Monroe M. Diefendorf, Sr.

Friends and family are welcome to a Celebration of Life to be held at the Inn at Patrick Square in Clemson, SC, on Saturday, November 9, 2024, from 12:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m.

 In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Judd’s name to the Oconee County Humane Society.

 Please visit RobinsonFuneralHomes.com or Duckett-Robinson Funeral Home & Crematory, Central-Clemson Commons.