College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom

Sylvester “Pete” Eveslage, a University of Dayton professor emeritus who served for 40 years in the Department of Chemistry, has died at age 96.

Eveslage joined the University faculty in 1948, was promoted to full professor in 1966, and retired as professor emeritus in 1988. During his four decades at the University, he served as chair of and a member on the University Disciplinary Appeals Committee and Graduate Committee. He also was a member of the design committee for William J. Wohlleben Hall, which was dedicated in April 1958 as the home for the departments of chemistry, geology and chemical engineering, and now comprises half of the University’s Science Center.

For the Department of Chemistry, Eveslage served as coordinator of freshman chemistry, director of organic chemistry laboratories, chair of the graduate committee, and director of the clinical chemistry program. In 1961, he and Brother Leonard A. Mann, S.M., then dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, visited high schools across Ohio to discuss scientific topics as part of the Ohio Academy of Science’s visiting scientists program.

Eveslage’s professional memberships included being a 50-year member of the American Chemical Society, American Association of Clinical Chemistry, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Ohio Academy of Science.

He was born April 25, 1923, in Ripley, Ohio. He held bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Notre Dame.

Eveslage’s hobbies included ballroom dancing, square dancing, oil painting and American sign language, according to his obituary.

He is survived by his wife of 64 years Mary Eveslage ’54; daughters Theresa "Terri" Ripski, Hillary "Holly" Davis and Andrea "Andi" Eveslage; and son Patrick Eveslage ’86. He also is survived by six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 13, at Queen of Apostles Chapel, Mount St. John, 4435 E. Patterson Road, Beavercreek, Ohio. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11 a.m. at Queen of Apostles Chapel, followed by burial at Calvary Cemetery. If desired, memorial contributions may be made to Queen of Apostles Community. Online condolences may be sent to Tobias Funeral Home.

- Dave Larsen, communication coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences