Wetzel, 68, UNC scientist and researcher

Robert G. Wetzel, an esteemed UNC scientist known for his innovative research on lakes, died April 18 after losing a five-month battle with lung cancer. He was 68.

Wetzel joined the School of Public Health’s Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering in 2001. He also served as a faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences’ curriculum in ecology.

“He brought great notoriety to the University,” said Cass T. Miller, chairman of the department.

“But he also brought a passion for his work and for his research.”

Wetzel’s many achievements and groundbreaking research made him an expert in the study of lakes, ponds and streams.

In 2003, Wetzel was named a William R. Kenan Jr. distinguished professor — a title Miller described as a “distinction held for the top scholars in the University.”

Wetzel also held membership positions in numerous professional organizations on both the national and international level. He wrote 23 books and more than 400 publications documenting his research.

UNC officials actively recruited Wetzel from the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa.

“We wanted him because of his prominence in his field and his expertise,” said Donald Fox, professor in and associate chairman of the environmental sciences and engineering department.

But Wetzel’s legacy will far exceed his achievements in the world of academia, many close to him said.

“He was able to do what I have rarely seen,” Miller said. “And that was to obtain not only the pinnacle of his particular scientific area, but at the same time do that while having a deep commitment to the common good.”

Those close to Wetzel said he worked to benefit others.

“It’s one thing to be a productive scholar, but it’s quite another thing to be a productive scholar while contributing meaningfully to the advancement of those around you,” Miller said.

Adam Riggsbee, a postdoctoral candidate in environmental sciences and engineering, said he came to the department to work with Wetzel.

“He took me as a very inexperienced and naive young man, and he dedicated a lot of his time to making sure that I was equipped with what I needed to get my dissertation done,” he said.

Wetzel’s son Paul Wetzel also noted that his father was dedicated to all of his students.

“So many people have said they really appreciated the time he took because he was a well-known scientist,” he said. “They never expected a big-name scientist to do that.”

Wetzel is survived by his wife of 45 years, Carol; two daughters, Kristy Myers of Hudson, Mich., and Pam Wetzel of Kalamazoo, Mich.; two sons, Paul Wetzel of Williamsburg, Mass., and Tim Wetzel of Longwood, Fla.; and nine grandchildren.

The public can attend a memorial service from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Friday in the banquet hall of the Morehead Building on East Franklin Street.

In lieu of flowers, Wetzel’s family requests that donations be made to the Robert G. Wetzel Memorial Fund in care of the International Association for the Study of Inland Waters, Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, 124 Rosenau Hall, CB 7431, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health, Chapel Hill, N.C., 27599-7431. The donations will support students in the study of fresh waters.

Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.