Joseph C. Sweeney of Chester Springs, PA passed away on September 1, 2024 - just days prior to celebrating his 75th birthday on Sept 9th.
He completed his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering at Drexel University (Philadelphia, PA; 1967-1974).
Joe’s career in the petroleum oil industry spanned more than 30 years – Mobil, Rohm & Haas, ARCO Chemical, Atlantic Richfield and Lyondell. Joe was a recognized and accomplished Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) expert. having received multiple awards from CCPS, including some of the following:
- April 2, 1992- Mr. Gary L. Leach, President of AIChE recognized Joe for his chair leadership for the “rapid and successful growth of the concept of technical management of Chemical Process Safety.”
- July 27, 2003- Received a “Visionary Contribution to Improved Process Safety” Award
- In 2008, CCPS presented Joe through recognizing him as a CCPS Fellow- In recognition of exemplary dedication to Process Safety and CCPS
In addition, Joe helped to author several books over the course of his career. Please note that the following is not an exhaustive list of books that he contributed to. He took great pride in lending his time, talent, expertise, and commitment to CCPS through creating book content:
- Guidelines for Chemical Process Quantitative Risk Analysis
- Guidelines for Chemical Transportation Risk Analysis
- Tools for Making Acute Risk Decisions with Chemical Process Safety Applications
- Plant Guidelines for Technical Management of Chemical Process Safety
- Guidelines for Technical Management of Chemical Process Safety
Joe’s work and efforts could not have been achieved without recognizing the following individuals: Dennis Hendershot, Robert Ormsby, Bob Perry, Sandy Schrieber, Tom Carmody, Henry Feng, Dick Schwab, Carmine Master, Bob DeHart, Randy Freeman, Les Wittenberg, just to name a few of the individuals that Joe worked with over the course of his time and service for CCPS.
One of his fondest memories while working with CCPS was the conference that was at Newport Beach, CA on Jan. 21, 1988. Below are two pictures of Joe and many of the attendees listed above.
Many people recognized Joe- At 6’10”, Joe was the world’s tallest cheerleader (and leprechaun on St. Patty’s Day!) and would - without hesitation - climb any mountain for his family and also people that he thought highly of as well, once he got to know them.
Even in his later years (2012), Joe continued to provide step out recommendations regarding CCPS Guidelines for Developing Quantitative Safety Risk Criteria. He continued to provide his time and talent to CCPS in whatever way that he could. This is who Joe was, a Chemical Industry professional.
To attempt to summarize all that Joe was/is/will continue to be is simply impossible. He will be sorely missed by the Chemical Industry, CCPS, friends, and his family for years to come.