The Cullen College of Engineering extends its condolences to the friends and family of Halbert “Hal” F. Brinson, a respected engineer, researcher and educator that helped to found the Composites Engineering & Application Center (CEAC) at the University of Houston.
Brinson passed away in North Carolina, his home state, earlier this year. He was 92.
Brinson earned his bachelor's and master's degrees in Civil Engineering through the ROTC program at North Carolina State University, and he went on to receive his Ph.D. from Stanford University. He devoted his professional life to engineering education and research, serving as Professor of Engineering Mechanics at Virginia Tech, later as Dean of Engineering at UTSA.
Brinson joined the University of Houston in 1994 as a professor and the deputy director of CEAC. He served in that role until 1999, when he transitioned to professor emeritus status.
Ramanan Krishnamoorti, the Vice President for Energy and Innovation at the University of Houston and a former department chairman of the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department, expressed his sincere condolences for Brinson’s passing.
“Hal was a dear friend and an amazing mentor who got me started at UH. I can’t thank him enough for selflessly guiding me and many of my colleagues. He will be deeply missed by all of us in Houston,” he said. “He and I shared a common scientific interest in the flow of viscoelastic materials (termed rheology) such as polymers.”
Krishnamoorti added, “He helped me connect with industry here at UH and also to navigate the world of academia — advising students who were almost as stubborn as I was — providing sage advice that perhaps saved me a few times. Perhaps what I missed most when he retired was his boundless enthusiasm for the field of rheology and the movement of polymers as solutions and liquids.”
Brinson was well-published, before, during and after his time at UH. He has four author credits for books, seven book chapter credits, and more than 100 journal articles and conference abstracts.
Su Su Wang, CEAC director and professor emeritus of Mechanical Engineering, worked closely with Brinson. However, he said their relationship started well-before UH.
“I first met Hal in 1976 at VPI. He was very kind and gentle, and he left a deep impression on me. Since then I had many interactions with him as a graduate student and later as a junior faculty at University of Illinois,” Wang said.
“He was a mentor to me all along, after I started my academic career. I was honored and privileged to work with him at UH-CEAC when he came to Houston to join us. I truly enjoyed the time he was with us and benefited greatly by his advice and guidance. He is truly missed in our mind and heart.”
Brinson was remembered as a dedicated mentor and teacher. His graduate students honored him with a chair engraved “Good Shepherd of Students,” a tribute that reflected his intellectual rigor and his genuine care for those he guided. He co-authored a book on Polymer Engineering Science and Viscoelasticity with his daughter, Cate Brinson — a collaboration that brought him great pride and joy.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, Brinson was a kind and loving family man. He enjoyed golf, reading, travel and spending time with those he loved. He brought thoughtfulness and steady strength to his family, and his presence will be deeply missed.
He is survived by his wife, Clara Brinson; his daughter, Cate Brinson; his son, Jon Brinson; and his four grandchildren, Max, Kasey, Tobin and Elena Brinson.
A Graveside Service was held at Calvary Churchyard in Fletcher, North Carolina. In lieu of flowers, his family graciously asks that donations be made to the American Red Cross.