Max G. Gergel (July 24, 1921 - July 5, 2017) was an American
chemist
A chemist (from Greek ''chēm(ía)'' alchemy; replacing ''chymist'' from Medieval Latin ''alchemist'') is a scientist trained in the study of chemistry. Chemists study the composition of matter and its properties. Chemists carefully describe th ...
and art collector. He graduated with a BS in
chemical engineering
Chemical engineering is an engineering field which deals with the study of operation and design of chemical plants as well as methods of improving production. Chemical engineers develop economical commercial processes to convert raw materials int ...
from the
University of South Carolina in 1942 and founded the Columbia Organic Chemical Company in 1944; he was a cousin of the Hon. Richard Mark Gergel, a Judge of the U. S. District Court for the District of South Carolina. He died in Columbia, South Carolina on July 5, 2017, aged 96.
The first volume of his autobiography ''Excuse Me Sir, Would You Like to Buy a Kilo of Isopropyl Bromide?'' was published in 1977. Research chemist
Derek Lowe described the book as an "extraordinary memoir".
Published works
* ''Excuse Me Sir, Would You Like to Buy a Kilo of Isopropyl Bromide?''
* ''The Ageless Gergel''
References
American chemists
University of South Carolina alumni
1921 births
2017 deaths
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