| Creator: | Frank & June Dotterweich |
| Title: | Frank & June Dotterweich Collection |
| Inclusive Dates: | 1905-1992 |
| Abstract: | Professional papers, files, and publications from the career of Dr. Frank Dotterweich, who established the Natural Gas Engineering Program at the Texas College of Arts & Industries in 1936. As part of the first of-a-kind program, Dr. Dotterweich published many articles that even today continue to offer foundation research. Included in this collection are copies of most of his publications, some of which are the only copies available, as well as scrapbooks, news clippings, and papers left by his wife, June Dotterweich, who was active in local civic organizations. |
| Identification: | A1996-030; A1996-030A; A2010-016 |
| Extent: | 23 linear feet |
| Language: | English |
| Container: | STAD Boxes 621, 622, 623, 6224, 626, 627, 628, 629, 630, 633 |
| Repository: | South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville |
Dr. Frank H. Dotterweich was a founding dean of the College of Engineering, created in 1936 at Texas A&I University. He became Department Head in 1945 and pioneered the Natural Gas Engineering Department as the first in the nation. Known as "Doc" by the students and faculty, he is responsible for much of the history of engineering at Texas A&I University. Many of his students, "Doc's Boys" have gone on to prominence in the natural gas, chemical and petroleum industries. Frank H. Dotterweich was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He received a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1928 and a Doctorate in Chemical Engineering in 1937 from John Hopkins University. Dr. Dotterweich was an outstanding athlete, he played and coached soccer and took his high school team to the Maryland state championship in the 1920's. While attending John Hopkins he coached soccer. In 1928 he was named to the All-American Lacrosse Team and later that year represented his country on the U.S. Olympic Lacrosse Team in Amsterdam. After graduating Dr. Dotterweich moved to Kingsville and began his career at Texas A&I University. In 1942 Dr.Dotterweich was called to Washington D.C. to serve in the Petroleum Administration for War in the Natural Gas and Gasoline Division. He remained in Washington through 1945 when the war ended. Dr. Dotterweich returned to Kingsville and the next year, 1946, married June Smith. The couple was active in many university and community organizations. They formed the local chapter of the American Cancer Society, were members of the Rotary Club of Kingsville and were involved with community development. June had studied nursing, was nationally recognized as a sharpshooter, worked on recreation area planning for Kingsville, and received an award in 1967 for being an Outstanding Civic Leader of America. In addition to developing the Natural Gas Curriculum, Dr. Dotterweich was Dean of the College of Engineering from 1947 to 1971. He was named professor emeritus in 1982. During winter commencement in 1989, Dr. Dotterweich was given Texas A&I University's first Presidential Citation. He also was the recipient of the prestigious Donald L. Katz Award from the Gas Processors Association for his "outstanding accomplishments in gas processing research and technology and for excellence in engineering education." In 1980, a former student anonymously donated $250,000 to establish the Dotterweich Chair in Natural Gas Engineering. Former students were challenged to match the initial donation which they did in a matter of weeks. June died first. They had set up the Frank and June Smith Dotterweich Memorial Trust with scholarships in engineering and nursing. Dr. Dotterweich was internationally recognized for his expertise as an engineer and an educator. He had dedicated forty-five years to Texas A&I University and earned the university distinction. He passed away in 1990 at the age of eighty-five.
The bulk of the material consists of Dr. Dotterweich’s professional papers, reports, publications, and correspondence. The material types in this collection include correspondence, memos, hand-written notes, internal and external publications, photographs, class syllabuses and scrapbooks. Many of the folders contain teaching materials for natural gas engineering classes. Included are slides used for presentations, lecture notes, transparencies and overhead transparencies rollers. Dr. Dottweich’s profession papers and newspaper clippings concerning his presentations are present. The collection includes personal records of bank statements, insurance papers and contracts. June’s Dotterweich’s materials include a notebook of her presentations.
Twenty-three (23) boxes and some loose materials from the office of Dr. Frank Dotterweich. Includes Box 1 - Diplomas from different Universities; certificates of recognition from U.S. & state of Texas photos of a construction sight and of people Box 2 - Notecards; lectures; written information about engineering Box 3 - Transparencies of lectures for classes in Engineering, Gas Air Conditioning Box 4 - Notes & information of various fields of information about University Box 5 - Class syllabuses and scholarship information Box 6 - Slides used for presentations (5 trays) Box 7 - Personal bank statements, insurance papers and contracts Box 8 - transparencies & more lecture notes Box 9 - Correspondence from gas companies, information about transfer students to/from A&I Box 10-17 - Oil and Gas Journals Box 18 - Address note cards and binders Box 19 - Computer floppy disks entitled Mission Press. Box 20 & 21 - Gas Air Conditioning binders and Natural Gas binders Box 22 - Gas & Air Conditioning record albums, letters, scrapbook of newspaper clippings; information on Mrs. Dotterweich; and newspaper about Dr. Dotterweich's death Box 23 - Overhead transparencies rollers (5) Misc. materials includes 1 cap; 1 film: The Consumer Is Boss; film: Fuel Cell, Natural Gas Co.; Stratton Fields, sand maps and cross section pipelines
| Access: | Open for research |
| Rights Statment: | Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A& M University-Kingsville. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards. |
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Preferred Citation
Frank & June Dotterweich Collection, A1996-030.XXXX, South Texas Archives, James C. Jernigan Library, Texas A&M University-Kingsville
Acquisitions
A1996-030 – Gift of Betty Conley Mann, College of Engineering A1996-030A – Gift of Dale Schruben, College of Engineering A2010-016 – Gift of Jeanne Nevill
Proccessing Information
A1996-030 Processed by Cecilla Aros Hunter in 1996 A1996-030A Processed by Cecilla Aros Hunter in 1996 A2010-016 Processed by Lori Atkins in 2015