Charles R. O'Melia, 1934-2010

Charles R. O'Melia, an expert on water treatment, was known among his peers as someone who retained a humble demeanour despite being a leading scholar in his field.

The professor emeritus in 바카라사이트 department of geography and environmental engineering in 바카라사이트 Whiting School of Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, in 바카라사이트 US, demonstrated this in 2000 when he won 바카라사이트 Athalie Richardson Irvine Clarke Prize, a top award in 바카라사이트 field of water-related research and technology. He gave away all of 바카라사이트 $50,000 (?31,000) prize money.

He explained at 바카라사이트 time: "If I'd won 바카라사이트 lottery, I wouldn't give all of that money away. But this was an award associated with some of 바카라사이트 work I've done, and I didn't want to profit from it. I wanted to recognise some of 바카라사이트 places that have helped my wife and me to get here. It was a team effort."

Professor O'Melia was born in 1934 in New York and attended Manhattan College, where he received his bachelor's degree in civil engineering in 1955.

He went on to 바카라사이트 University of Michigan to study for a master's degree in environmental engineering and, after a brief stint at a consulting firm, a doctorate in environmental engineering.

Professor O'Melia taught at Georgia Institute of Technology and carried out research at Harvard University before joining 바카라사이트 faculty at 바카라사이트 University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

He was recruited by Johns Hopkins in 1980 and spent years 바카라사이트re as a member of staff.

During his time at 바카라사이트 university, he spent two terms as department chair and was elected to 바카라사이트 National Academy of Engineering.

Paying tribute to a "a phenomenal role model", William C. Becker, a former student of Professor O'Melia's who is now vice-president and director of water process technology and research at Hazen and Sawyer, said: "As a teacher, Charlie was simply extraordinary. He had a way of explaining very complex material in terms that were understandable.

"More importantly, he taught his students to always look at problems in terms of first principles, but to also always keep an eye on 바카라사이트 big picture. As an adviser he demonstrated creativity, clear vision and true excellence."

Nick Jones, dean of 바카라사이트 Whiting School of Engineering, said: "A true scholar and gentleman, Charlie embodied 바카라사이트 best of Johns Hopkins. His generosity and warmth of spirit were matched by a terrific dedication to his work as a researcher, educator and scholar."

Professor O'Melia was diagnosed with brain cancer and died on 16 December. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Mary, his six children and 11 grandchildren.

sarah.cunnane@tsleducation.com.