Steven Keith Dentel

Steven Keith Dentel passed away on February 18, 2015 after a long struggle with prostate cancer, which he faced with his signature mix of humor and scientific analysis.  He was born on November 4, 1951 in Washington DC to Keith and Marcene (Chudomelka) Dentel and grew up in suburban Virginia.  He received his undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering from Brown University and Master and Ph.D. degrees in Environmental Engineering from Cornell University. 

Steve was a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Delaware where he was a teacher and researcher for over 30 years.  He was well known in his field as an expert in water and biosolids treatment processes.  Steve was instrumental in the creation of an undergraduate major in Environmental Engineering at UD and in 2006 became the faculty advisor for the newly formed Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter at the University.  Known as Dr. Steve to his EWB students, he traveled to Cameroon eleven times working with EWB and community members to build water systems in two villages and was designated a “Prince and Village Notable” by the people of Bakang II, Bamendjou.  His experience with Engineers Without Borders served as a catalyst for his research on water and sanitation issues in the developing world.  Most recently, he received funding from the Gates Foundation to explore the use of water-permeable membranes in latrines as a means of limiting pathogens in ground water.  This innovative treatment is currently being tested in India and, if successful, could have a significant impact on sanitation processes in the developing world.

Steve was a loving, funny, smart, adventurous man devoted to making the world a better place. As a member of the City of Newark Conservation Advisory Commission for 15 years, including 10 years as Chair, he advocated for recycling, green energy, and passage of Newark’s anti – idling ordinance.  He was also active in local Democratic politics and served as Chair of the 25th District for a number of years.

His passion for travel took him to more than thirty countries during his lifetime for both work and pleasure. He had a great love of beautiful places around the world, but perhaps his favorite place to be was spending time with family and friends at the family cottage on Lake Willoughby, Vermont.

He received recognition for his work over the years and most recently was awarded the Order of the First State, Delaware’s highest civilian honor, by Governor Jack Markell.  In 2014, Steve was awarded the inaugural Steven K. Dentel AEESP Award for Global Outreach by the Association of Environmental Engineering and Science Professors.

Steve is survived by his partner in life of thirty-four years, Carol Post; two sons, Aaron Dentel-Post and Colin Dentel-Post; Colin’s wife, Crystal Woodford; his brother, William Keith Dentel, and his wife Jan Kinney.  He is also survived by a wide circle of friends, colleagues, and students who will deeply miss his quirky sense of humor, thoughtful analysis, and loving spirit.

He was predeceased by his parents and a brother, Richard Keith Dentel. 

A memorial service will be held at 5:00 pm on Monday, March 9 at the Gore Recital Hall in the Roselle Center for the Arts at the University of Delaware, 110 Orchard Road, Newark, DE 19716.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Steve’s memory can be made to either the Steven K. Dentel AEESP Award for Global Outreach endowment fund or to Engineers Without Borders at the University of Delaware.  For AEESP, visit www.aeespfoundation.org/content/aeesp-foundation-donations-memory-dr-steven-k-dentel.  For UD-EWB, send checks payable to University of Delaware (memo line “Engineers Without Borders in Memory of Steve Dentel”) to University of Delaware, Gifts Processing, 83 E. Main St, 3rd Fl., Newark, DE 19716 or donate online at www.udel.edu/makeagift (select “Other” and fill in “Engineers Without Borders in Memory of Steve Dentel”).

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