Sheldon Weinig

Sheldon "Shelly" Weinig, was a prominent New York-born engineer, entrepreneur, and educator who helped revolutionize the semiconductor industry through the founding of Materials Research Corporation (MRC). He passed away March 7, 2026 at the age of 98.

Born and raised in New York City, Dr. Weinig was an alumnus of Stuyvesant High School and a veteran who credited the GI Bill for his "fantastic education at no cost." He earned his B.S. from New York University in 1951, followed by an M.S. (1953) and a doctorate in Metallurgy (1955) from Columbia University.

After briefly serving as an assistant professor at NYU and Columbia, Weinig founded Materials Research Company in 1957. MRC became a global pioneer in providing high-purity materials and equipment essential for the burgeoning computer and semiconductor industries. Under his leadership as Chairman and CEO, MRC grew into a public corporation listed on the American Stock Exchange. The company's global impact was solidified in 1989 when it was acquired by Sony Corporation. Dr. Weinig continued to serve as Vice Chairman of Engineering and Manufacturing for Sony America until his retirement in 1996.

Dr. Weinig’s contributions to science and industry were recognized with multiple awards. In 1980, he received the SEMI Award for his pivotal role in developing materials essential for semiconductor growth. He was awarded the Technion Medal, the Technion University’s highest honor. This award recognizes individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the Technion, the State of Israel, and humanity through science, technology, or philanthropy. He was elected to the National Academy of Engineering in 1984 for his leadership in the development and production of electronic materials. In 1988 the French government awarded him the rank of Chevalier in the Legion d'Honneur. He was also a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and received honorary doctorates from several institutions, including St. John’s University and the Polytechnic University of New York.

Following his corporate career, Dr. Weinig dedicated himself to the next generation of engineers, teaching pro bono for over 25 years. He held dual adjunct professorships at Columbia University during the fall semesters and Stony Brook University in the spring. Known for his unconventional "office hours" at a Manhattan diner, he remained a passionate advocate for technical education and mentorship, eventually detailing his entrepreneurial philosophy in his memoir, Rule Breaker: An Entrepreneur's Manifesto. (Available on Amazon.)

Dr. Weinig is survived by his wife of many decades, Mary Jo Weinig, with whom he established the Weinig Scholars Program at Columbia Engineering to support undergraduate and graduate students. Together, they shared a deep commitment to philanthropy and literacy, with Mary Jo developing the international program Read a Recipe for Literacy. His legacy endures through the thousands of students he mentored and the foundational materials that power modern technology. He is also survived by his daughter Marike Weinig Owen, son Mark Weinig and his four grandchildren.