George Keene Schweitzer

*05 Dec 1924 ∞ 04 Jun 1948 + 20 Sep 2024 - Zum Vater gegangen Dr. Schweitzer, was born on December 5, 1924 in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. He joined the University of Tennessee Department of Chemistry in 1948 where he was a professor of Inorganic and Nuclear Chemistry from that year until his death; for over 75 years. He served under 13 UT Presidents, did extensive research, was published in numerous areas of investigation, supervised over 140 graduate students, and taught tens of thousands of students in his classes. Dr. Schweitzer held two PhD degrees, a MS degree, a MA degree and honorary ScD degrees in inorganic and nuclear chemistry, history and philosophy of science, and history and philosophy of religion. His alma maters include Central College (Missouri), the University of Illinois, Columbia University, and New York University. He attended Columbia with a National Science Foundation Faculty Fellowship. He was a visiting scholar at Oxford University, the University of Belfast, and over 6 universities in the United States. At the University of Tennessee, Dr. Schweitzer was awarded the outstanding faculty member and was the first Mace Bearer in 1961, bearing the mace at the inauguration of Andy Holt as President. He was appointed Alumni Distinguished Professor in 1970, gave the Spring 1992 graduation address and was awarded the Johnson Lifetime Service Award in 2013. Dr. Schweitzer also made well over 1600 addresses in Chemistry, Local and Family History, and Science and Religion at many universities, professional societies and meetings. He made several lecture tours for the American Chemical Society and for the State University Consortia. He published many books on Chemistry and Local and Family History, including a history of the University of Tennessee Chemistry Department. Dr. Schweitzer also was active for over 40 years at the East Tennessee Historical Society as a board member, a board officer, Genealogist in Residence, Museum Docent, and Instructor in Local History. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Knoxville, where he sang in the choir, taught Sunday School to college students and was a faculty advisor for the Baptist Student Union. He filled absent pulpits at churches in Knoxville and around the country. In his youth as a Boy Scout, he earned the Eagle Scout Award and became a member of the Order of the Arrow. He was preceded in death by his wife Verna Lee Pratt Schweitzer, his parents, Francis John Schweitzer and Ruth Elizabeth Keen Schweiter, his brother, Francis John Schweitzer, Jr. and son-in-law Michael David Pratt. His surviving family are children Ruth Anne Schweitzer Pratt, Deborah Keene Schweitzer Burnett (Jon) and Eric George Schweitzer (Sharon Mather), grandchildren Samantha Ruth Burnett Booth (Brett), Timothy Michael Pratt (Megan Nelson), Eric Scott Burnett (Erinn McMahon), Hallie Keene Schweitzer Girardeau, and Sally Ann Schweitzer Kostuk (Clint) and great-grandchildren Townes Morris Pratt, Elijah Adam Booth, Caroline Lee Booth, Nathaniel Asa Booth, Shepherd George Burnett, Locke Lyn Burnett, Benjamin John Girardeau and Jacob Mather Girardeau and Sister-in-Law Dolores Kalkbrenner Schweitzer. Interment at Highland Memorial Cemetery in Knoxville will be private. Arrangements provided by Rose Funeral & Cremation, Mann Heritage Chapel. Memorial donations to The Dr. George K. Schweitzer Memorial Fund at the University of Tennessee may be made here: https://give.utk.edu/campaigns/42950/donations/new?a=8613408&designation_id=dgksm_f01&ut_tribute_name=George%20K%20Schweitzer Online condolences may be expressed at www.rosefuneraltn.com

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George Keene Schweitzer

December 5, 1924 - September 20, 2024