Eugene Dennis Wilhoit was called home to be with the Lord on February 10, 2019. He was born in Frankfort, Kentucky on January 28, 1931 to the late Dr. Dennis Wilhoit, M.D. and Emma Risk Wilhoit of Bagdad, Kentucky.
He is survived by his wife, Verla Walton Wilhoit of Victoria, Texas; his son, Michael Wilhoit of Austin, Texas; stepson, Jeffrey Spearman , and his wife, Debra, of Katy, Texas and their children, Ryan Spearman (Elizabeth) of Sugar Land, Texas, and Lauren Thurston (Matthew) of Spicewood, Texas, and four great-grandchildren, Ansley and Caleb Spearman, and Samuel and Violet Thurston.
He was preceded in death by brothers, Filmore and Buford Wilhoit; sisters, Anna Wilhoit and Lorraine Russell.
Gene received a B.S. degree in Industrial Chemistry in 1953 and a Ph. D. degree in Physical Chemistry from the University of Kentucky in 1956. His graduate research work was devoted to electrochemistry and he published numerous articles covering his work in major scientific journals.
He joined Dupont in August 1956 in Wilmington, Delaware and worked on physical chemistry of polymers prior to serving his military obligation in 1957 at Redstone Arsenal where he was assigned to the Army’s rocket fuel research program. Upon returning to DuPont he began researching a new process for nylon intermediates. In collaboration with John Sloan (DuPont Engineer) they demonstrated the first electrochemical synthesis of a major chemical used in nylon manufacture . DuPont did not commercialize the discovery but two years later Monsanto developed the technology and installed large scale plants using the concept which is operating today.
In 1958, Gene moved to Orange, Texas where he pursued research on a specialty chemical now being manufactured at Victoria. From 1967 to 1975 he held Research Management positions at the Victoria Plant and then moved to Wilmington, North Carolina as General Technical Manager for polyester chemicals. In late 1981 he returned to the Victoria plant as a Research Fellow. On January 5, 1982, Dr. Denton Cooley performed open heart surgery on him which was very successful . Gene continued his career with DuPont until his retirement in 1994. After retirement he continued to serve as a DuPont consultant for several years.
His research and technical management philosophy was to develop new technology which would have significant scientific merit plus credible economical benefits. He believed industrial research should have a business focus with well defined financial, safety and environmental/human benefits which can be measured in finite time. He enjoyed working with professional chemists and engineers to achieve these goals.
During his DuPont career numerous patents were issued to him and his colleagues and are being used in large industrial plants in U.S. and foreign countries. He was elected to the American Men of Science and recognized by The New York Academy of Sciences for his academic research and DuPont accomplishments.
Gene enjoyed and played basketball at University Kentucky for Adolph Ruppand. He enjoyed a fast game of tennis as well as golf, and fishing with his son, Michael gave him great pleasure. Art (painting) and classical music fascinated him. His wife, Verla, is a very good artist with special skills in palette knife work and a very accomplished pianist. He and his wife spent many vacations in Carmel enjoying the arts on the Monterey Peninsula. Color photography was one of his hobbies with his primary subjects being wild flowers and mountain scenes. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church and especially enjoyed his Sunday School class with many of his friends. He was a follower of Jesus Christ and his faith was a big part of his life.
Funeral Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, Victoria, Texas on Friday, February 15 at 10 am, with visitation at 9 am.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church in Victoria, or a charity of your choice.
