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[Press Release from Lehigh University Media Relations]


                 DR. JOSEPH F. LIBSCH DIES

  A Bethlehem resident, he was vice president emeritus for
               research at Lehigh University



     Joseph F. Libsch, 74, vice president emeritus for
research and Alcoa Professor Emeritus of Metallurgy and
Materials Engineering at Lehigh University, died Mon.,
January 4 in Boca Raton, Fla.

     Libsch retired from Lehigh in 1983, but continued to be
active at the University.  A Bethlehem resident for more
than 45 years, he was visiting his son at the time of his
death.

     "In the passing of Joseph F. Libsch, Lehigh has lost
one of its most committed leaders and I have lost a mentor
and friend," said Alan W. Pense, Lehigh provost and academic
vice president.  "His contributions as faculty member,
department chair, center director and vice president were
evident to all but my personal experience as a teaching
assistant in his courses gave me an insight into the heart
of a committed teacher that stays with me today.  Joe Libsch
truly devoted his life and strength to this university with
a passion that is almost unique.  We are all diminished by
his loss but enriched by the memory of his time among us."

     "Joe Libsch was responsible for the growth of materials
science and engineering into one of the premier research and
teaching departments in the U.S.A.," said David B. Williams,
chairperson of materials science and engineering.  "As
chairman, he was the driving force behind the consolidation
of all materials studies into Whitaker Laboratory.  He
conceived the idea of the Materials Research Center and
directed this first successful interdisciplinary center for
many years.  The Eleanor and Joseph Libsch Award for
Outstanding Research by faculty is only one example of his
commitment to research at Lehigh.  This legacy will be a
constant reminder to those who knew him.  His last memorable
contribution to the department was to co-author the
publication of "Department History of Metallurgy and
Materials Science and Engineering," commemorating the
centennial of the department in 1991.  We will all miss Joe
who was a dedicated teacher, researcher and administrator
and an inspiration to us all."

     Libsch joined Lehigh's faculty in 1946 as an assistant
professor and was promoted to full professor of metallurgy
and materials science in 1954.  He specialized in kinetics
of solid state reactions, selection of materials and
processes, and high frequency induction heating.

     In addition to chairing his department from 1960-69, he
also served as director of the University's Materials
Research Center from 1962-71.  He was named the Alcoa
Professor of Metallurgical Engineering in 1966 and became
vice president for research in 1969.

     Libsch received many awards for his work, including the
1965 Hillman Award to "a member of the Lehigh faculty who
has done the most toward advancing the interests of the
University," and the 1954 National Teaching Award from the
American Society for Metals (ASM).  He was honored for his
contributions to the field of metallurgy in 1959 with the
Bradley Stoughton Award from ASM.  He was elected a fellow
of ASM in 1971 and served as national president of the
society during 1973-74.

     A native of Rockville, Conn., Libsch received his
bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees from Massachusetts
Institute of Technology.  At MIT he was elected to Tau Beta
Pi national engineering honor society and Sigma XI national
research honorary.

     Prior to joining the Lehigh faculty, he was a captain
in the Army, where he worked on metallurgical research and
development of small arms for four years.

     He was a board member of the Pennsylvania Science and
Engineering Foundation from 1972-80, and served concurrently
as a member of the Pa. Governor's Science Advisory
Committee.  He was also chairman of the Governor's Energy
Council Task Force and chairman of several ASM committees.

     He wrote numerous articles and papers for professional
journals and was the contributing editor of the Metallurgy
and Metallurgical Engineering Series of the Chilton Co.

     Calling hours will be Sat., Jan. 9 from 10 to 11 a.m.
at Church of Christ -- United Church of Christ, 75 E. Market
St., Bethlehem.  Funeral services will be at 11 a.m.  Burial
will be private.

     His is survived by his wife Eleanor, and his sons Karl,
Lawrence and Thomas.

     His family has requested that donations be sent in lieu
of flowers to Lehigh University's Department of Materials
Science and Engineering, Whitaker Laboratory, 5 East Packer
Ave., Bethlehem, Pa.  18015.

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