Gordon John Van Wylen (February 6, 1920 – November 5, 2020) was an American physicist and author of textbooks on thermodynamics. He was chair of the physics department at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1972 and President of Hope College in Holland, Michigan, from 1972 to 1987. He was born in Grant, Michigan and turned 100 in February 2020. He received his bachelor's degree from Calvin University and his master's degree from University of Michigan. Van Wylen also received his doctorate degree from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Van Wylen served in the United States Navy during World War II. He died on November 5, 2020, of complications from COVID-19.
On behalf of the Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, I would like to express my heartfelt condolences on the sad loss of Professor Gordon Van Wylen. Our community will never forget one of its great scientists for his meritorious contributions to chemical engineering science and technology.
May his soul rest in peace.
Reza Zarghami
Editor-in-Chief
Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering