WMU HOME > ABOUT WMU > WMU NEWS Robert E. Harmon May 21, 2004 Dr. Robert E. Harmon, professor emeritus of chemistry at Western Michigan University died April 23 in Chewlelah, Wash. He was 73. Harmon, who retired in 1996, was a faculty member for more than 35 years. An organic chemist known for his work in medicinal chemistry and cancer research, Harmon was the winner of the University's Distinguished Faculty Scholar award in 1980. Part of the patent proceeds from a veterinary drug developed from one of his numerous chemical compound discoveries is returned to the Department of Chemistry and used for an annual symposium. Following his retirement, Harmon opened a research facility in Springfield, Wash., and remained actively engaged in studying medicinal compounds. Harmon earned a bachelor's degree from Washington State University in 1954 and a doctoral degree from Wayne State University in 1959. He worked in the Cancer Chemotherapy National Service Center in Bethesda, Md., before joining the WMU faculty in 1961. Media contact: Cheryl Roland, 269 387-8400, cheryl.roland@wmich.edu WMU News Office of University Relations Western Michigan University 1903 W Michigan Ave Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA 269 387-8400 www.wmich.edu/wmu/news