H. Smith Broadbent, Professor Emeritus, Passes Away at Age 89

Hyrum Smith Broadbent passed away on January 19, 2010 in Provo, UT.

He was born in Snowflake, Arizona on July 21, 1920, and was the eldest son of Hyrum Broadbent and Lorana Smith. Dr. Broadbent received his early education in Snowflake schools, then attended Brigham Young University, graduating with a B.S. degree in chemistry and mathematics in 1942. He married Katherine Mary Miller in the Salt Lake Temple on September 9, 1942, departing immediately thereafter for Iowa State University where he served during the WWII years doing wartime research with The Manhattan Project. He received his doctorate degree in organic chemistry in 1946. Subsequently, he did post-doctoral research in physical organic chemistry at Harvard University. He returned to BYU as assistant professor of chemistry in 1947, rising to the rank of professor in 1952.

Dr. Broadbent  taught chemistry at BYU for 38 years and remained an active consultant even after his retirement. He recently contributed to the investigation of methods to safely destroy old munitions. At BYU, Broadbent received Karl G. Maeser awards for both teaching and research.