Bayer SR research chemist John R. Dunn dies at 72

SARNIA, Ontario (July 30)—John R. Dunn, well-know synthetic rubber research chemist and author, died July 14 while gardening at his home in Sarnia. The 72-year-old spent 30 years with what originally was Polymer Corp. and eventually the Polysar Rubber Corp. Division of Bayer A.G. He retired in 1992 as principal scientist-elastomers in the New Product Research and Development Division. Dunn won the Melvin Mooney Award Distinguished Technology Award from the ACS Rubber Division and the Insitute of Materials' Colwyn Medal for his technical contributions to the SR industry. He also was honored by the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers. The author of more than 100 papers, Dunn lectured extensively and worked toward the development and acceptance of synthetic rubber. He specialized in special-purpose elastomers used in automotive applications, and aggressive environments. He was a world authority on nitrile rubbers, and had extensive experience in the study of vulcanization, aging and testing of rubbers including NR, BR, EPDM, butyl rubbers and especially, NBR and HNBR. He was responsible for the evaluation of trends and needs in tire and non-tire automotive applications, as well as rubber recycling.