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When asked by his wife how his research was progressing he said “The work is going very well, but it looks like the end of the world.” Sherry was an atmospheric chemist who won the Noble Prize in Chemis try in 1995 with colleagues Paul Crutzen, an atmospheric chemist, and former student Mario J. Molina, “for their work in atmospheric chemistry, particularly concerning the formation and decomposition of ozone.” His 1974 paper “Chlorofluorometh anes: Chlorine Atom-Catalysed Destruction of Ozone,” co-authored with Mario Molina, was cataclysmic to the synthetic refrigerant industry. It was published in the British journal Nature. It did not receive immediate acclaim. Sherry warned the world of the destructive consequences of CFCs on the ozone layer. This brought to light the potential destructive hazards of ultraviolet rays that could enter the atmosphere through the holes in the ozone layer, which could ultimately cause skin cancers on a massive scale. The hole in the ozone layer was discovered by a British Antarctic Survey in 1985. NASA would confirm the findings a few months later. The good news is that since the discovery, evidence has come to light, the ozone layer is actually repairing itself. Though repair is a decades long process. Sherry’s work ushered in the founda tion of the Montreal protocol, banning R-12, as well as R-22 and other CFCs. This assured his place in refrigeration history.

Sherry was well thought of by his colleagues. Many noted that he made time for all those who sought him out, whether an esteemed colleague or a new student. Barbara J. Finlayson-Pitts was quoted as saying: “He was a scientist of enormous integrity, who really did change our world for the better.” Per his longtime friend and colleague, and daily conversationalist, Don Blake: “His exemplary scientific rigor, honesty, dignity and collegiality made him a role model to emulate in the heat of today’s politically charged science debates.” Bassam Shakhashiri noted, “Sherry Rowland will live on as a compelling reminder that individual scientists must speak out with courage and persistence when they think it is important for society to change.” Sherry wasn’t without his detractors and pseudo enemies. Many in industry disputed his findings, some for financial reasons, some for lack of understand ing, and some though fear of what the ramifications of his conclusions would mean. One industry consultant accused him of being an agent of the KGB. His acclaim was global. In 1978, he was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. In 2004, 32 years later, he was made a Foreign Fellow of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest independent scientific academy dedicated to promoting excellence in science for the benefit of humanity. He also won the Japan Prize Foundation’s Japan Prize for “original and outstanding achieve ments in science and technology that are recognized as having advanced the

frontiers of knowledge and having served the cause of peace and prosper ity for mankind.” Sherry was called to our Lord on March 10, 2012 on his 84th year. He died of Parkinson’s complications, a disease worthy of much more research. He passed at his home in Corona Del Mar, CA. He was survived by his wife of more than 60 years, Joan and their son Jeffery Rowland, daughter Ingrid, and two grandchildren. To put into perspective his contribu tions, his Wikipedia page has received more than 60,000 page views. His biography is available in 46 different languages. Wikipedia notes he is one of the 250 most popular chemists of all time. Information for this article included information from various newspaper articles, historical notes, and articles. Including: “Rowland in 2007 at UC Irvine” by William J. Cooper. The F. Sherwood Rowland obituary by Ralph Cicerone. The F. S. Rowland obituary by T. Rees Shapiro The information used to generate this article is believed factual. Should you have any corrections or additional information pertaining to this article please forward them to the editor.

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