Dr. Pat Scarpino’s, Former ORBCRE Chair

The Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education lost a great river keeper, Dr. Pasquale (Pat) Scarpino, last Saturday (July 21, 2007). Pat died peacefully on Saturday night.  The family is requesting donations in lieu of flowers be made to the Dr. Pasquale Scarpino engineering educational foundation at University of Cincinnati. The home address is:

Mrs. Pasquale [Jeanie] Scarpino
982  South Apple Gate
Cincinnati, Ohio 45245
Tel:  513-947-8383

Pat was the recipient of our River Keeper Award in 2005.

Dr. Scarpino’s career of more than 40 years as a Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Cincinnati exemplifies the concept of a true “River Keeper.” In addition to his scholarly pursuits in research and education, Dr. Scarpino has given numerous hours and much effort to the improvement of the Ohio River Basin. A few noteworthy contributions include:

1. Chair, Task Force on Safe Drinking Water - Subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives leading to the enactment of the Safe Drinking Water Act [1970s].

2. Chair [appointed by the mayor of Cincinnati], Citizens and Scientists for Safe Drinking Water – first leading to the construction and utilization of the “Granular Activated Carbon” facility in Cincinnati which uses the Ohio River as a principal source of raw water for rendering into “Safe Drinking Water” [late 1970s - early 1980s] and second reorganization of the Committee to address potential microbial threats in the Ohio River to drinking water [1990s].

3. Ohio Commissioner to ORSANCO, serving as Secretary, Vice-Chair then Chair of the ORSANCO Commission.

4. Chair and/or member of numerous national, state, region and local committees to address issues of threats to the Ohio River including: Stormwater/Wastewater Assessment; Combined Sewer Overflow; Development of Priorities for Monitoring Viruses in source waters and drinking water.

5. As an academician, Dr. Scarpino has published more than 65 research articles, mentored and graduated 75 M.S. and 10 Ph.D. students in Environmental Microbiology. Many of his former students are currently in positions with local, regional and national agencies and/or organizations with responsibilities in monitoring, protecting and improving water quality in the Ohio River Basin.

6. With the Ohio River Basin Consortium for Research and Education, “Pat” has served as trustee since 1985 [the beginning], secretary for more than 10 years, 2 terms as Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Organized as committee chair, 2 of the Consortium Annual Symposia.

THEREFORE, it is our pleasure and honor to Award to Pasquale Scarpino the title of “RIVER KEEPER” on this twenty-seventh day of October 2005.