Father of Harvard man, chemical engineer
George Clinton Sweeney Jr., a brilliant engineer, avid photographer, and exceptional father, passed away peacefully with his children at his side on Jan. 15, 2015. He was a chemical engineer who was born in Gardner, Mass., on Sept. 20, 1926, to Winifred and George C. Sweeney.
George graduated from Phillips Andover Academy in 1943 at the young age of 16. He attended MIT and went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in engineering in 1947 and his master’s degree in chemical engineering practice in 1948, having also served in the Army during his studies. He was honorably discharged in 1945. As a chemical engineer, George travelled to more than 50 countries, evaluating new ammonia projects for governments and lenders alike. During his schooling and travels he became fluent in five languages, including French, Spanish, Egyptian Arabic, German, and some self-taught Chinese.
His favorite project took him to Egypt from 1953 to 1954; from there he recounted some of his favorite travel memories in exquisite detail. While in Egypt he discovered his passion for flying and soaring, logging in more than 400 flights and 100 hours of glide time in sailplanes. He became the first American to earn his Silver C Merit Badge for soaring and the ninth person in Egypt to do so. George retired from Arthur D. Little, Inc. in 1985 after 30 years with the company. George enjoyed flying, photography, travel, and golf during his free time and “quiet years,” as he called them. He was an engaging storyteller who could recount exquisite details of his fondest memories, including summers in Wolfeboro, N.H., and many of his travel adventures.
George is survived by his two children, John C. Sweeney of Harvard and Susan H. Maher of Chappaqua, N.Y. He is also survived by his five grandchildren. A private memorial for his family is being planned.
