In loving memory of

Edwin N. Lightfoot
September 25, 1925 - October 2, 2017

Madison - Edwin Niblock Lightfoot, Jr., passed away peacefully in his home at the age of 92 on October 2. Ed was born to Edwin N. and Harriet Grimm Lightfoot in Wauwatosa in 1925.

The most important event of his life was his marriage to Lila Smith of Newburgh, NY in 1949, which began a partnership of 67 years. Ed counted in his family five children, Dory (Enrique Rueda), Edwin J. (Sue Dempsey), Nancy (Nicholas McGill), Robert (Karin Hunsicker), and David (Barry Burciul); his granddaughter Katherine; his "academic family" of 49 doctoral students; and many spoiled, well-loved dogs.

Ed received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. He worked for Pfizer & Co in Brooklyn where he received a patent for manufacturing vitamin B12. He began his teaching career at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was a distinguished member of the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering for over 50 years. His research interests were in separation processes and controlling the dynamics of biological systems. He was the author or co-author of several influential books in transport phenomena and rheology, including the classic textbook Transport Phenomena. He was a seminal thinker in applying chemical engineering to biological and biochemical systems. He was awarded the AIChE's William Walker and Warren K. Lewis awards for contributions to literature and for teaching. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, a member of the National Academy of Sciences, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received honorary doctorates from the University of Trondheim, now NTNU, and the Danish Technical University. He was a 2004 recipient of the National Medal of Science in from President George W. Bush for his innovative research and leadership in transport phenomena, with important medical applications in blood oxygenation, bio-separation techniques, and diabetic responses. In later life Ed turned his attention to ways of developing scientifically informed intuition in in bioengineers (in particular quantum biology).

Ed was always a teacher, whether it was in the halls of academe, enjoying the outdoors with his students, seated around the dinner table, or walking at his dog park. He was proudly independent and thrived on debate. He enjoyed reading, his dogs, the woods of Wisconsin and especially his Sauk county farm, counting cranes, travel, cross-country skiing, sailing, canoeing, and bicycling. He travelled the world or lived in places as far as Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, and Taiwan, but his heart was always in southern Wisconsin. He had a deep concern for those in need, and was at heart a cheerful, warm and generous man.

He is preceded in death by his wife. In addition to his children he is survived by a sister, Esther Ehlert of Coral Gables, Florida, and four nieces.

A celebration of Edwin Lightfoot's life will be held at 10:00 a.m., following a visitation at 9:00 a.m. December 2, 2017 in the Landmark (upstairs) Auditorium at the First Unitarian Society, 900 University Bay Drive in Shorewood Hills.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be grateful for donations in Ed's name to the International Crane Foundation www.savingcranes.org/support-icf, or the Bird, Stewart and Lightfoot Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Fund at https://secure.supportuw.org/give (Please enter "Lightfoot" after following the link and select "Bird, Stewart and Lightfoot Wisconsin Distinguished Graduate Fellowship Fund")

Tributes

Chrissy wrote on Nov 15, 2017:

"I met Edwin at the Yahara dog park. My dog Poco and I would walk with him and his two collies. I knew he was a special person and I'm glad I had the chance to get to know his dog park side. We would always stop and watch the cranes fly overhead and talk about conservation. I'm sorry for your loss but I'm grateful he has graced my life with those walks around the dog park. "

Dr. Amar Shah wrote on Nov 5, 2017:

"Revision to Tribute from Dr. Amar Shah, originally posted on October 19, 2017: At this time, I would like to take a moment to remember my dear friend and mentor, Professor E.N. Lightfoot, who has recently departed the Earth for his heavenly abode. Professor Lightfoot was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1925. He was a mentor, friend, guide, and inspirational figure to us all. He was a gracious and generous man; a man of the people, who was a constant source of inspiration and wisdom to so many. He touched our lives and helped mold our characters, so that we could achieve our greatest success. I acknowledge and appreciate the enormous influence that he had on my life and personal success; and for this, he will always have my respect and admiration. Professor Lightfoot lived a long, productive and fulfilled life of great achievement. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. He was a pioneer in the development of fundamentals and in the applications in the life science field. Widely known for his research, he made many contributions in transport phenomena. Professor Lightfoot focused on the development of improved separation processes and controlling the dynamics of biological systems. While working at Phizer & Co., in Brooklyn, N.Y, he developed and patented a commercial process for recovering and purifying vitamin B12. He co-authored the classic textbook Transport Phenomena, alongside colleagues R. Byron Bird and Warren E. Stewart, which was translated into several foreign languages. Transport Phenomena includes the transport of heat, mass and momentum. It has proven to be one of the most influential books ever written in the engineering sciences. Transport Phenomena has, at a very fundamental level, transformed the way Engineers view and approach problems in the United States and throughout the world. He also authored Transport Phenomena & Living Systems: Biomedical Aspects of Momentum and Mass Transport. In this work he extended transport phenomena to the even more complex systems of the life sciences. His teaching career began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was the Hilldale Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemical Engineering. It was here that he inspired greatness, independence, creativity and critical thinking. He shared his brilliant mind and served as an inspiration to the scientific careers of his many students; treating us as colleagues or even members of an extended family. He cherished his graduate students. I was fortunate to be one of them. It was then that he became a towering figure in my life and career. Professor Lightfoot was elected into the National Academy of Engineering in 1979, and the National Academy of Sciences in 1995. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Trondheim, in 1985; and, in 2000, he received an honorary doctorate from the Danish Technical University. Professor Lightfoot was recognized by President George W. Bush for his innovative research and leadership in transport phenomena focusing on biochemical and biomedical engineering with application to blood oxygenation, bioseparation techniques, and diabetic response, as a recipient of the 2004 National Medal of Science. In 1991, he was the recipient of the Warren K. Lewis Award for Chemical Engineering of the AIChE. In addition to his professional achievements and contributions to society, Professor Lightfoot was a loving husband to his departed wife, Lila Lightfoot, for 67 years. Professor Lightfoot believed Lila's influence was not only the key to his personal happiness, but also his professional success. They shared their home with many students and who became a part of the extended Lightfoot family. Lila Lightfoot passed away in November 2016. I pray that they have found each other again. They are both proudly survived by their daughters Dory (Enrique) and Nancy (Nick); and sons, Ted (Sue), Robert (Karin), and David (Barry) and many friends and loved ones. Professor Lightfoot departed our Earth peacefully, in his sleep, on Monday, October 2nd, one week to the day after his 92nd birthday. He was in a good place, at home, with his daughter Dory; surrounded by his dogs and without any pain or suffering. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones at this difficult time, and we remind you to celebrate the beautiful life of our dearest Professor Lightfoot. It is difficult to say farewell to such a great man. I will miss Professor Lightfoot as a mentor and friend. He truly meant so much to so many of us. I am comforted by the fact that his intellect, his pioneering spirit and his compassion will endure in us to exemplify his legacy. Rest in peace, my dearest friend and mentor. You will never be forgotten. Amar Shah - Silver Microshield amarshah@silvermicroshield.com "

Lynette Jandl wrote on Oct 27, 2017:

"Most of Ed's adult children know how much I loved and appreciated any time I could spend with him. Which was never enough. He was such a loving, kind and interesting person. Lila was too. I got to know them because I cleaned their house for the last several years. Ed always made it a point to ask me about my 2 sons because he knew I just loved being asked. We also enjoyed some rousing political discussions about our shared perspectives. He mentioned some things about his career but sure didn't include anything about how well known and respected he was nor any awards he had gotten. I don't know if I'd have been as at ease having those chit-chats with him if I had known all I have learned from reading his obituary. Somehow his amazing life and kindly personality resulted in one of the most pleasant people I ever got to know. And there was a lot I didn't know until now. Good bye sweet Ed. Much love."

Jean & Mike wrote on Oct 24, 2017:

"My sweetie and I met Ed at a restaurant in Madison in the fall 2005 having breakfast (if our memory is correct). He was so friendly and became interested when we told him we were searching for rural property. He gave us his business card (that I still have to this day) and earnestly invited us to his Sauk county property. The next weekend we took him up on his offer and found his place among all the trees. He had a dog with him - I want to say it was a black dog? The four of us walked around the property while we conversed about our lives. Then we took shelter in the structure there and sat around the half-circle wood stove, feeding it with logs from the land periodically and warming ourselves. We very much enjoyed our visit with Ed and will always remember him for his kindness, generosity, and passion for life and nature. "

David Clarenbach wrote on Oct 23, 2017:

"Dory, I am saddened to learn of the passing of your father -- a true trailblazer in his field and a wonderful father. While we haven't been in touch since school, please know that my thoughts are with you and your family. Take good care, ~David Clarenbach"

Tom Hoffner wrote on Oct 23, 2017:

"I appreciated the opportunity to get to know Ed and Lila over the years. They were a fascinating couple and a delight to talk with. Tom Hoffner"

Daryl Lund wrote on Oct 22, 2017:

"Professor Lightfoot was my m9inor advisor while I completed my PhD in Food Science. I remember fondly his style of asking questions that ultimately led you to the correct solution. I tried to emulate his teaching style in my own professorial career, the Socratic Method. Some will think that his seminal contribution was as a co-author of BSL, but really it was the influence that he had on those who were fortunate enough to have studied with him Rest in peace, Professor Lightfoot. Daryl Lund, Professor Emeritus Food Science UW-Madison"

Dr. Amar Shah wrote on Oct 19, 2017:

"At this time, I would like to take a moment to remember my dear friend and mentor, Professor E.N. Lightfoot, who has recently departed the Earth for his heavenly abode. Professor Lightfoot was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1925. He was a mentor, friend, guide, and inspirational figure to us all. He was a gracious and generous man; a man of the people, who was a constant source of inspiration and wisdom to so many. He touched our lives and helped mold our characters, so that we could achieve our greatest success. I acknowledge and appreciate the enormous influence that he had on my life and personal success; and for this, he will always have my respect and admiration. Professor Lightfoot lived a long, productive and fulfilled life of great achievement. He received his B.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from Cornell University. He was a pioneer in the development of fundamentals and in the applications in the life science field. Widely known for his research, he made many contributions in transport phenomena. Professor Lightfoot focused on the development of improved separation processes and controlling the dynamics of biological systems. While working at Phizer & Co., in Brooklyn, N.Y, he developed and patented a commercial process for recovering and purifying vitamin B12. He co-authored the classic textbook Transport Phenomena, alongside colleagues R. Byron Bird and Warren E. Stewart, which was translated into several foreign languages. Transport Phenomena includes the transport of heat, mass and momentum. It has proven to be one of the most influential books ever written in the engineering sciences. Transport Phenomena has, at a very fundamental level, transformed the way Engineers view and approach problems in the United States and throughout the world. He also authored Transport Phenomena & Living Systems: Biomedical Aspects of Momentum and Mass Transport. In this work he extended transport phenomena to the even more complex systems of the life sciences. His teaching career began at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he was the Hilldale Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemical Engineering. It was here that he inspired greatness, independence, creativity and critical thinking. He shared his brilliant mind and served as an inspiration to the scientific careers of his many students; treating us as colleagues or even members of an extended family. He cherished his graduate students. I was fortunate to be one of them. It was then that he became a towering figure in my life and career. Professor Lightfoot was elected into the National Academy of Engineering in 1979, and the National Academy of Sciences in 1995. He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Trondheim, in 1985; and, in 2000, he received an honorary doctorate from the Danish Technical University. Professor Lightfoot was recognized by President George W. Bush for his innovative research and leadership in transport phenomena focusing on biochemical and biomedical engineering with application to blood oxygenation, bioseparation techniques, and diabetic response, as a recipient of the 2004 National Medal of Science. In 1991, he was the recipient of the Warren K. Lewis Award for Chemical Engineering of the AIChE. In addition to his professional achievements and contributions to society, Professor Lightfoot was a loving husband to his departed wife, Lila Lightfoot, for 67 years. Professor Lightfoot believed Lila's influence was not only the key to his personal happiness, but also his professional success. They shared their home with many students and who became a part of the extended Lightfoot family. Lila Lightfoot passed away in November 2016. I pray that they have found each other again. They are both proudly survived by their daughters Dory (Enrique) and Nancy (Nick); and sons, Ted (Sue), Robert (Karin), and David (Barry) and many friends and loved ones. Professor Lightfoot departed our Earth peacefully, in his sleep, on Monday, October 2nd, one week to the day after his 92nd birthday. He was in a good place, at home, with his daughter Dory; surrounded by his dogs and without any pain or suffering. We send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones at this difficult time, and we remind you to celebrate the beautiful life of our dearest Professor Lightfoot. It is difficult to say farewell to such a great man. I will miss Professor Lightfoot as a mentor and friend. He truly meant so much to so many of us. I am comforted by the fact that his intellect, his pioneering spirit and his compassion will endure in us to exemplify his legacy. Rest in peace, my dearest friend and mentor. You will never be forgotten. Dr. Amar Shah Silver Microshield, Inc. Amar.Shah@SilverMicroshield.com"

Jane O'Dell wrote on Oct 12, 2017:

"I had the privilege to be in the last class the Professor Lightfoot taught before he retired, and to work in the lab for him in consulting work, reading a number of his papers and presentations over the years as I worked on a graduate degree in another department. I am grateful for his encouragement of my academic aspirations and the wide-ranging discussions over the years. He and Mrs. Lightfoot were unfailingly gracious, and I know they both left the world a better place. My condolences on your loss; I hope you will be comforted to know how many people's lives were enriched by Professor Lightfoot's actions. "