Daniel Paul Babb
(August 1, 1939 - November 18, 2014)

Dr. Daniel P. “Doc” Babb, longtime Marshall University chemistry professor, passed away Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2014, at Cabell Huntington Hospital after a brief illness. Dr. Babb was born August 1, 1939 in Red Wing, Minn. He was preceded in death by his parents Kay and Paul Babb as well as a brother Bill Babb. He is survived by his brother Doug Babb of Fort Smith, Ark.; nieces Nikki Tisue of Redwood Falls, Minn., and Rebekah deSonnaville-Sammons of Jenks, Okla.; a nephew Paul Babb of Jenks, Okla.; and a special great nephew Colin Babb of Jenks, Okla. Dr. Babb studied chemistry at Mankato State University, Mankato, Minn. earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963. He obtained a Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Idaho in 1968 under the direction of Jean’ne Shreeve studying the synthesis of novel fluorine compounds. He then studied nitrogen-sulfur-fluorine compounds with Herbert Roesky at the Anorganish Chemisches Institut at the University of Göttingen, Germany. He joined the Marshall faculty in 1972. His research interests included investigations into the chemistry of (CF3)2C=NLi and similar molecules. He also was a member of Alpha Chi Sigma Chemistry Professional Fraternity. Dr. Babb had recently retired after 42 years of teaching, research and service at Marshall University in Huntington, W.Va. At the time of his retirement, it was estimated he had taught and mentored more than 15,000 students. Even after his retirement, he maintained professor emeritus status and continued to be a fixture on the MU campus. He also established the Paul and Catherine Babb Scholarship awarded to a student majoring in Chemistry. Throughout his tenure at Marshall his involvement with the university extended beyond the classroom. He was appointed associate dean of the College of Science in 1986 and chair of the department in 1990, serving for 14 years. He also was instrumental in developing the original curriculum for the university’s Society of Yeager Scholars as well as the development of the MU Faculty Senate. He served on the Faculty Senate as well as the senate’s Athletic and Student Conduct & Welfare committees. He was a recipient of the 2005-2006 Marshall University Distinguished Service Award. He also was a Thundering Herd football fan and often could be seen on the sidelines. Dr. Babb led the effort to re-charter and re-colonize Beta Delta chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity on the MU campus in 1979. He became an initiated member in 1980 (roster number 549) and served as its faculty advisor/Grand Chapter advisor for 31 years. Under his guidance, the fraternity earned many university and national awards and counts hundreds of very successful MU graduates among its ranks. Awards included the 1986 Delta Beta Xi Award given to 10 Alpha Sig alumni nationally for outstanding service; Most Improved Chapter 1986; and the Grand Senior President’s Award (the fraternity’s highest honor for the best chapter in the nation) in 1988, 1990, 1992, 1994 and 1996. He was bestowed the honorary title of “Mr. Beta Delta” and was named Grand Chapter Advisor Emeritus by the fraternity’s national Grand Council. In 2011, he was named the Evin C. Varner, Jr. Distinguished Service Award given to one former Delta Beta Xi Award winner each year in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service. A memorial service in Dr. Babb’s honor will take place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 520 11 St., Huntington, W.Va. with arrangements by Klingel Carpenter Mortuary.