Hal Silberberg
Dr. Irwin Harold “Hal” Silberberg (1926–2021) entered The University of Texas at Austin in 1943. After earning his BS in chemical engineering, he continued as a graduate student. His mentor in the doctoral program was Dr. John McKetta, who became a lifelong friend. Hal, known for his wit, liked to joke that he entered grad school in 1947 and emerged ten years later with a wife, four kids and a PhD.
Hal began his career at the Mobil research facility in Dallas. After two years, he was recruited by UT Austin to be assistant director of the Texas Petroleum Research Committee. An academic life greatly appealed to him, so Hal and his family returned to Austin and he began his long career in the Petroleum Engineering department.
Shortly after returning, Hal and his wife Adele found their ideal piece of property, 11 acres just outside Austin, which became home for the rest of their lives. Hal wryly named it “Nebbish Acres,” but he gradually transformed it into a park-like setting, with fruit trees and an expansive lawn among the ancient oaks. Relying on his self-described “edifice complex,” Hal was closely involved in three additions to the grounds and the development of parts of the property. His children, their spouses, five grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren all enjoyed the property, which also became a regular feature of Adele’s annual family reunion.
At UT Austin, Hal guided doctoral students through their research and dissertations, and he continued to write, publish, edit and occasionally present papers at conferences. His main research interests were thermodynamics and phase behavior of hydrocarbon systems, and he authored over 50 technical articles and reports.
In 1977 Hal became the PE graduate advisor. His efforts in that role led to him receiving the 1980 Graduate Engineering Council Award for Meritorious Support. He was specifically lauded by faculty and students for his improvements in recruiting, and for his personal interest in the students, which was for many the decisive factor in choosing UT Austin. He also was credited with shaping and improving the overall graduate program, especially the MS program. Hal was recognized for his dedicated support of students, and for preparing them for their careers. Later, he and Adele endowed the Silberberg Undergraduate Petrophysics Teaching Laboratory.
By the time Hal retired, he had been a part of UT Engineering for over 50 years.
