About Walter G. May
Walter G. May, 96, Canadian-born American engineer.
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Full Biography
|Walter G. May (November 28, 1918 – February 18, 2015) was a Canadian engineer who held a distinguished professorship at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Early life and education
May was born in Saskatchewan. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering and Master of Science in chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan. He later earned a PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Career
In 1943, May returned to the University of Saskatchewan as a professor of chemical engineering. He joined the Exxon Research and Engineering Company in 1948 and worked as a senior science advisor from 1978 to 1983.
May was elected to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and National Academy of Engineering in recognition of his contributions to engineering theory and practice in fluidization, high-energy propellants, LNG technology, and centrifugal isotope separation.
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Sources
- Wikipedia
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_G._May
- CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sep 26, 2026
- View article
- Sep 26, 2026
Trivia & Knowledge· 16 questions
Questions drawn from Walter G. May's archived record and the sources above.
1.What undergraduate degree did Walter G. May earn from the University of Saskatchewan?
- A.Bachelor of Arts in chemistry
- B.Bachelor of Science in chemical engineeringcorrect
- C.Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering
- D.Bachelor of Science in physics
Walter G. May earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Saskatchewan.
Source: Early life and education section
2.Where did Walter G. May obtain his PhD?
- A.University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
- B.Massachusetts Institute of Technologycorrect
- C.University of Saskatchewan
- D.Exxon Research Institute
Walter G. May earned a PhD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Source: Early life and education section
3.In what year did Walter G. May begin working as a professor at the University of Saskatchewan?
- A.1948
- B.1983
- C.1943correct
- D.1978
In 1943, Walter G. May returned to the University of Saskatchewan as a professor of chemical engineering.
Source: Career section
4.When did Walter G. May join the Exxon Research and Engineering Company?
- A.1983
- B.1978
- C.1948correct
- D.1943
Walter G. May joined the Exxon Research and Engineering Company in 1948.
Source: Career section
5.During which years did Walter G. May serve as a senior science advisor at Exxon Research and Engineering Company?
- A.1948 to 1978
- B.1983 to 2015
- C.1943 to 1948
- D.1978 to 1983correct
Walter G. May worked as a senior science advisor from 1978 to 1983.
Source: Career section
6.At which institution did Walter G. May hold a distinguished professorship?
- A.University of Illinois Urbana-Champaigncorrect
- B.Exxon Institute
- C.Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- D.University of Saskatchewan
Walter G. May held a distinguished professorship at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Source: Introductory paragraph
7.What is one of the specific fields in which Walter G. May made contributions to engineering theory and practice?
- A.Fluidizationcorrect
- B.Computer architecture
- C.Biomedical engineering
- D.Structural mechanics
Walter G. May was recognized for his contributions to fluidization, high-energy propellants, LNG technology, and centrifugal isotope separation.
Source: Career section
8.In which year did Walter G. May pass away?
- A.1996
- B.2018
- C.2015correct
- D.1983
Walter G. May died on February 18, 2015.
Source: Introductory paragraph
9.What was Walter G. May's age at the time of his death?
- A.92
- B.96correct
- C.83
- D.98
Walter G. May was 96 years old at the time of his death.
Source: Introductory paragraph
10.To which organization was Walter G. May elected in recognition of his engineering contributions?
- A.National Academy of Engineeringcorrect
- B.Royal Society of Canada
- C.Exxon Scientific Board
- D.American Chemical Society
Walter G. May was elected to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and National Academy of Engineering.
Source: Career section
11.Which of these is a listed contribution to engineering made by Walter G. May?
- A.Robotics software
- B.LNG technologycorrect
- C.Nuclear reactor cooling
- D.Aerospace materials
Walter G. May's work included contributions to LNG technology.
Source: Career section
12.What was the date of birth of Walter G. May?
- A.February 18, 1943
- B.November 28, 1943
- C.November 28, 1918correct
- D.February 18, 1918
Walter G. May was born on November 28, 1918.
Source: Introductory paragraph
13.What Master's degree did Walter G. May earn from the University of Saskatchewan?
- A.Master of Science in physics
- B.Master of Arts in engineering
- C.Master of Science in chemical engineering
- D.Master of Science in chemistrycorrect
Walter G. May earned a Master of Science in chemistry from the University of Saskatchewan.
Source: Early life and education section
14.Which professional engineering body elected Walter G. May?
- A.Global Chemical Society
- B.American Institute of Chemical Engineerscorrect
- C.Engineering Professors Association
- D.Canadian Engineering Institute
Walter G. May was elected to the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Source: Career section
15.Which field is identified as a contribution of Walter G. May regarding centrifugal technology?
- A.Centrifugal isotope separationcorrect
- B.Centrifugal cooling processes
- C.Centrifugal engine design
- D.Centrifugal pumping systems
Walter G. May made contributions to centrifugal isotope separation.
Source: Career section
16.In which Canadian province was Walter G. May born?
- A.Alberta
- B.Saskatchewancorrect
- C.British Columbia
- D.Ontario
Walter G. May was born in Saskatchewan.
Source: Early life and education section
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