Dr. Dennis C. Shelly, Associate Professor

Dennis C. Shelly, 53, of Lubbock, and formerly of St. Thomas, Pa., died on Friday, Nov. 21, 2008, in College Station, as a result of a motor vehicle accident.  Born on Feb. 16, 1955, in Chambersburg, he was the son of Harry C. and Joan L. Armstrong Shelly of 110 Mattson Hollow Road, Coatesville, PA  19320.

A 1973 graduate of James Buchanan High School, he attended Huntington College, Huntington, Ind. and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemistry.  In 1982, he received a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Analytical Chemistry from Texas A&M University, College Station.   Following graduation he worked for Eli Lilly and Co., Indianapolis, Ind.  Realizing that he wanted to teach he accepted a post-doctoral fellowship at Indiana University, Bloomington, Ind.  Following his post-doctoral fellowship he taught chemistry as an assistant professor at Steven's Institute of Technology, Hoboken, N.J.   In 1990, he accepted a position at Texas Tech University teaching chemistry. 

Dr. Shelly enjoying the colorful figure on a trip to China in the fall of 2007

Dennis had a passion for leather research and was president of the Leather Research Institute at Texas Tech University.  He was also a past president and active member of the American Leather Chemists Association.  His long-standing organizational memberships included the Leather Industries of America, Society of Applied Spectroscopy and American Chemical Society. 

Dennis was a well-respected leather researcher throughout the world. In addition to his research abroad, he often lectured and presented seminars in China, India, Vietnam, Eastern Russia and the United States.  In 2005, Dennis was the recipient of the distinguished Alsop award for outstanding scientific contributions to the leather industry.

Dr. Shelly in his office. Photo provided by Dr. Purnendu Dasgupta

Aside from his parents, he is survived by his two sons, Ian M. Shelly of Columbia, Mo. and Lieutenant Graham P. Shelly, United States Army, of Lacey, Wash., and one sister, Cindy (and husband Peter, a niece Jeannette, a nephew Nathaniel) VanderWerff of West Chester, Pa.  Funeral services were held in Chambersburg, PA at Geisel Funeral Home with Rev. Paul Baker officiating.  Interment followed at St. Thomas Cemetery, St. Thomas, PA.  A Memorial Service for his many friends, colleagues and students, former and current will be held in Bowman Chapel at First United Methodist Church, Lubbock, on Dec. 5, 2008, at 2 p.m. where Dennis was a member.