October 11, 1934 - April 10, 2008

Dr. Joan E. Shields, a colleague and very dear friend of the members of the ACS New York Section, died suddenly on April 10th. Joan's passing is a great loss to her friends and to the ACS. An extraordinary chemist and educator, Joan was dedicated to her science, her students, her colleagues - and to the organization that represented them all, the ACS.

Born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Joan earned a B.S. degree in chemistry at Regis College, a M.S. degree in chemistry at Tufts University, and a Ph.D. in chemistry at Boston College. She was awarded a post-doctoral fellowship at the Max Planck Institute in Mulheim, Germany, where she met her future husband.

Joan joined the faculty of Long Island University, C. W. Post campus, in 1968 and became a full professor in 1974. She chaired the chemistry department at the C.W. Post Campus for 20 years before retiring in 2007. During her 40 years of teaching Dr. Shields guided many students in research projects, resulting in 34 publications and books. Joan served on a seemingly endless array of committees for the University. She was recently chosen to lead the graduation processions carrying the University Mace.

Dean Katherine Hill-Miller of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences said, "We will all remember Joan Shields for her fierce dedication to excellence in teaching, excellence in research, and excellence in student achievement. We will also remember Joan for her complete dedication to students. She shepherded so many of them through the full cycle of their years at C.W. Post, from the time they entered our gates as freshmen, to the time they left us for medical and graduate schools." After retiring, Joan continued to work at Post, mentoring freshman and serving as chairwoman of the school's Pre-Health Professions Advisement Committee. She also was working on her fifth book.

Joan was a dedicated leader in the American Chemical Society. She gave generously, assuming numerous roles in the New York Section and National ACS. Joan chaired the Long Island Subsection in 1975 and 1976, and the New York Section in 1980. She represented the Section as a Councilor for 14 years, and was an enthusiastic member of its Committees, chairing many. Among these were the Councilor Coordinating, Bylaws, Long Range Planning, MetroChem, Nichols Jury, Outstanding Service Award and History of the New York Section Committees.

Joan was our star in National ACS, rising rapidly within its ranks. She was a member of the Board of Directors from 1989 to 1991 and 1995 to 2002 - and its Chair from 1996 to 1998, an office she so very much enjoyed. Joan led in many roles - as Chair of the Society Committee on Budget and Finance, Committee on Committees, Publications Committee and Chemical and Engineering News Editorial Board, and as a member of Local Section Activities and Chemical Education. Joan was active on Board Committees, chairing Public Affairs and Public Relations, and, Planning, and, as a member of Grants and Awards, Audits, Pensions and Investments, and Member Insurance. Joan was game for work; she wanted to make a difference! The National Chemistry Week Task Force, Task Force to Review ACS Awards Program, and Task Force on International Chemistry Celebrations benefited from her many contributions.

In recent times, Dr. Shields was a member of the Board of Directors of the Chemical Heritage Foundation and the Governing Board for Publications.

Joan truly will be missed. She set an outstanding example of hard work, dedication, friendship and caring. She was an extra-ordinary person. We will remember her always in a very special way.

For those of you who would like to write to Joan's family, the information is:

Irene Peters (sister)
228 Crescent Ave.
Revere, MA 02151
Email

Michael Alfano (nephew)
37 West 72 Street, 14e
New York NY 10023
Email