Richard I. Masel

Richard I. Masel, emeritus professor of chemical engineering and a pioneer in technology start-up companies, passed away on December 14, 2024, in Delray Beach, Florida. He was 73 years old. His funeral was attended by family on December 22, at Shalom Memorial Park, in Huntington Valley, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his spouse, Sharon Collins-Masel; sister Marjorie Masel; sister-in-law, Theresa Masel Auerbach; nieces Rachel Masel-Miller (Philip Miller) and Rebecca Masel (Daniel Lamond); and grandnephew Alec Miller.

Richard Masel was a remarkable teacher, scholar, entrepreneur, inspiring mentor, and colleague. After completing his PhD in chemical engineering at the University of California in Berkley, he did post-doctoral work in Germany. Then, he became a professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where he distinguished himself in the fields of catalysis, quantum mechanics, and hydrogen and formic acid fuel cells. He won numerous awards, wrote two textbooks that are still being used, and has been one of the most globally cited chemical engineers.

After retiring from the University of Illinois, he became a serial entrepreneur, focused on technology that could reduce carbon dioxide emissions. He founded/co-founded three start-up companies: Tekion, a fuel cell company; Cbana Labs, a micro-gas chromatograph analyzer firm; and Dioxide Materials, his latest innovative company, located in Boca Raton, Florida, where it manufactures electrolyzers that reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

He always said that in business, he got the “joy of seeing a product help people.” As an entrepreneur, his overall goal has been to bring new products to the marketplace that benefit society.

In his leisure time, he enjoyed visiting family, international folk dancing, reading mysteries, watching Star Trek, and entertaining friends.