Mr. Wikman interrupted attendance at University of Arkansas to serve two years in the US Army Signal Corp. The GI bill made it possible for him to complete a ChE degree in 1950. Following completion of a masters degree at the University of Florida, Wikman joined Ethyl Corp.’s R & D department, in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He served 24 years in R&D in various levels of responsibility in process evaluation, development, design and plant startup. Along the way he accumulated 11 patents in the fields of chlorinated hydrocarbons and aluminum alkyl processes. Wikman moved into manufacturing as Houston Plant Manager for three years and then became corporate General Manager of Manufacturing. He was promoted to Vice President of Ethyl Corporation and General Manger of Industrial Chemicals in 1981. Wikman retired in 1994, after 43 years with Ethyl Corporation. That same year, Ethyl spun off its chemical business into a new company, Albemarle. He consulted with Albemarle for two years as the new company took shape. Wikman and his wife Ernestine have three children, three grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. He now works on his golf handicap, which is hopeless.

Arkansas Academy of Chemical Engineers, 2006.

Mr. Wikman passed away on Tuesday, January 2, 2018. He will be missed.