He was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and spent 34 years at Battelle Memorial Institute in Columbus, Ohio, retiring at in 1987 to take a position as president of Tulco in the Research Triangle Park. He retired from Tulco in 1997. He was president of the Licensing Executive Society during the 1980-81 term.

A memorial service will be held April 28 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill.

Survivors his wife, Mary B. Riley; five children, Mary Lynn, Ann, Jean, Patrick and Michael; a brother, James Riley; a sister, Patricia McCormack.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 400 Oberlin Road, Suite 200, Raleigh, N.C. 27605.