AFS Founding Father, Wells Shoemaker Passes

Ed Gregor (Left) honors Wells Shoemaker (right) at 2008 AFS conference.

Wells Shoemaker, the founding father of the American Filtration and Separations Society (AFS) passed away SAunday, July 25th, 2010. He was instrumental in the founding of AFS some 23 years ago.

As a young Cornell chemical engineer just leaving the Navy, Mr. Shoemaker started his first filtration company 62 years ago, and was employed by three corporations involved with fibers, nonwoven fabrics, and filtration. He became a registered Patent Agent. He then created FILTEREX to provide marketing and consulting services in the industry. He chaired AIChE’s Separations Program Committee, and then joined in the new English Filtration Society’s activities in America. He went on to serve as first American Chair of the English Society, and, chaired the Downingtown World Congress. As Hon. Secretary. he was part of the team that then created the American Filtration Society 23 years ago.

Mr. Shoemaker’s health had been failing and the end came Sunday with wife Sara at his side. The two had been married for 66 years.

There will be a Memorial Service this Thursday at 3:00 pm at Christ Episcopal Church in Sparta, NC with a reception at the family home shortly thereafter. For anyone wishing to offer their condolences, the home address is:1888 Memorial Park Dr. Sparta, NC 28675 | Tel: 336-372-5655