Robert C. “Bob” Forney

Robert C. “Bob” Forney received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, a master’s degree in industrial engineering, and a PhD in chemical engineering in 1947, 1948 and 1950, respectively, as well as an honorary doctorate in 1981. Upon graduation, he joined the DuPont Company, where he had a 39-year career, culminating in service as senior vice president. One team he led invented Kevlar, the bullet-proof synthetic protecting U.S. military troops for more than 50 years. At Purdue, the Chemical Engineering building, Forney Hall, is named in his honor.