Legendary Chemistry Professor Bumgardner Passes Away at 100

The NC State community lost a longtime member on February 24 when Chemistry Professor Emeritus Carl Bumgardner passed away. He had recently celebrated his 100th birthday.

Bumgardner, who taught at NC State for more than 40 years, was a favorite among his students, who were invited to his house during the holidays. It was that generous spirit that prompted Bumgardner to establish a scholarship endowment to benefit students in the Department of Chemistry.

The Ann Bumgardner and Myrtle Bumgardner Scholarship supports juniors or seniors pursuing a chemistry degree, with first preference given to students from Gaston County near Charlotte, where Bumgardner grew up. The scholarship honors Ann, Bumgardner’s late wife of 58 years, and his sister, Myrtle, who raised him from a young age and instilled in him an appreciation of education and a thirst for learning.