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Cornelius Marsden Vanderwaart '36

Sep. 23, 1914-Feb. 23, 2006

Cornelius Marsden Vanderwaart ’36, a chemical engineer long employed by the American Cyanamid Co., was born on September 23, 1914, in Norwich, CT. A son of Peter T. Vanderwaart, a mechanical engineer, and the former Elizabeth Marsden, he grew up in Palmerton, PA, where he was graduated from Stephen S. Palmer High School in 1932 as valedictorian of his class. Marsden Vanderwaart, also known as “Van,” entered Hamilton that year and joined Theta Delta Chi. Dubbed by The Hamiltonian “the great punster of the Class of ’36,” he went out for cross-country and track. He also did excellent academic work, winning the Huntington and Root Mathematical Scholarships as well as the Huntington Mathematical Prize. He earned election to Phi Beta Kappa and honors in math and chemistry along with his B.S. degree in 1936.

Marsden Vanderwaart went on to graduate study at Cornell University, where he acquired his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1940. That year he began his employment with American Cyanamid, in whose research laboratory he had already worked during summers as a graduate student. Married on August 2, 1941, to Barbara M. Hammond in Andover, MA, he took up residence near the company’s lab in Bound Brook, NJ. There, and subsequently with the company in other locales as well, he was a participant in the tremendous wartime and post-World War II growth of the chemical industry. New fields were being explored and new products developed, and “Van” made significant patent contributions to the manufacture of sulfa drugs, aniline, melamine, and nitro benzene, among others.

While residing in New Jersey, Marsden Vanderwaart became active in community affairs, serving as a member of the Bedminster Township’s board of education and as its president for three years. He also served as a unit commander of the Boy Scouts, president of the Lions Club, and as a vestryman of St. John on the Mountain Episcopal Church in Bernardsville.

In 1969, two years after the death of his first wife, Marsden Vanderwaart was married to Helen Gitzendanner Queenan, who had also been widowed. Following Van’s retirement from American Cyanamid in 1977, the couple moved to Punta Gorda, FL. With a home situated on a canal, and with their 30’ sailboat at the back door, they readily took to the sunshine and water. Van became active in local sailing and boat clubs, and taught basic boating for the Peace River Power Squadron for several years. He also served on Punta Gorda’s board of zoning appeals and as treasurer of the Friends of the Library. In addition, he volunteered as a “wheelchair pusher” at the Charlotte Regional Medical Center.

A man of wide, varied, and lively interests that encompassed woodworking, antique cars, and model trains and boats, he also never ceased to enjoy and appreciate the learning experience of travel. A warm and generous supporter of the College, he maintained close ties with Hamilton until the end.

In 2003, the Vanderwaarts sold their home in Punta Gorda and moved to a life care community in nearby Port Charlotte. There, on February 23, 2006, C. Marsden Vanderwaart died, at the age of 91. In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter and son from his first marriage, Barbara Mauer and Peter H. Vanderwaart; three stepchildren, Elizabeth Brouillette and Peter and Robert Queenan; and nine grandchildren. He was predeceased by his brother, Peter D. Vanderwaart ’40, in 2001.

Necrology Home

Note: Memorial biographies published prior to 2004 will not appear on this list.



Necrology Writer and Contact:
Christopher Wilkinson '68
Email: Chris.Wilkinson@mail.wvu.edu

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