Robert C. McHarness Collection

Robert Calvert McHarness was born on February 28, 1907 in Northwood, Iowa. His family moved to the west coast early in his life, and his father was a pastor in a number of Baptist churches.

McHarness attended Linfield College tuition-free as the child of a Baptist minister. He majored in chemistry and played tennis, graduating in 1928 as the class valedictorian. His future wife, Helen Harris—also the child of a Baptist minister—graduated from Linfield in 1929.

Robert and Helen were married in 1931, then moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where Robert worked for DuPont for the remainder of his career. He was a research chemist at Jackson Laboratory, Chambers Works, in Deepwater, New Jersey. McHarness was involved in the discovery of Teflon and was instrumental in developing the methods for its mass production. His name was on several patents, and the Teflon production process remains the same today.

McHarness also was associated with Freon throughout his career, working on the team that developed the process to manufacture it. He also was part of the Manhattan Project that developed the atomic bomb during World War II. McHarness retired in 1967. In May 1982, McHarness received an honorary doctor of science degree from Linfield. He always held a strong affection for his alma mater.

Robert McHarness died on January 26, 1991, and his wife Helen subsequently established the Robert C. McHarness Natural Science Student Research Fund at Linfield, awarded each year to a deserving student.

The Robert C. McHarness Collection primarily features materials from the 1982 Linfield College commencement ceremony, when McHarness was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree. The collection includes a scrapbook and other assorted photographs from the day, along with McHarness's undergraduate diploma and honorary degree, as well as his first-year grades.

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McHarness Graduation 01

Robert C. McHarness

Robert C. McHarness receives his honorary Doctor of Science degree from President Charles U. Walker. McHarness graduated from Linfield in 1928, worked for DuPont, and was involved in the discovery and manufacture of Teflon and Freon.

(left to right): Winthrop (Win) W. Dolan, Dr. Charles U. Walker, Robert C. McHarness, unidentified man
McHarness Graduation 02

Robert C. McHarness

Robert C. McHarness receives his honorary doctorate degree at Linfield's 1982 commencement ceremony. McHarness worked for DuPont and was involved in the discovery and manufacture of Teflon and Freon after graduating from Linfield in 1928.

On stage, President Charles U. Walker stands in the foreground next to the podium; McHarness is partially obscured by the podium.
McHarness Graduation 03

Robert C. McHarness

Onlookers applaud as Robert C. McHarness is awarded his honorary Doctor of Science degree at Linfield College's 1982 commencement ceremony. McHarness, a 1928 alumnus, worked for DuPont and was involved in the discovery and manufacture of Teflon and Freon.

On stage, President Charles U. Walker (behind podium) hands a diploma to McHarness (right of podium) as the two shake hands.
McHarness Graduation 04

Robert C. McHarness

Robert C. McHarness is awarded a hood as part of his honorary Doctor of Science degree at Linfield's commencement ceremony in 1982. A 1928 Linfield alumnus, McHarness worked for DuPont and was involved in the discovery and manufacture of Teflon and Freon.

On stage, President Charles U. Walker stands behind the podium.
McHarness Graduation 05

Robert C. McHarness

The stage is set for the 1982 commencement ceremony at Linfield College. Robert C. McHarness was awarded his honorary doctorate as part of the celebration.
McHarness Graduation 06

Robert C. McHarness

Family and friends celebrate with Robert C. McHarness after he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Science degree at the 1982 commencement ceremony at Linfield College. McHarness, who graduated from Linfield in 1928, worked for DuPont and was involved in the discovery and manufacture of Teflon and Freon.

(left to right): Helen McHarness, Robert C. McHarness, Bernard Martyn (college roommate), Don McHarness (brother), Robert R. McHarness (son)
McHarness Honorary Doctorate

Robert C. McHarness

President Charles U. Walker awarded this honorary Doctor of Science degree to Robert C. McHarness in 1982. McHarness, who graduated from Linfield in 1928, worked as a research chemist for DuPont.
McHarness Honorary Doctorate Scrapbook

Robert C. McHarness and Helen H. McHarness

This scrapbook celebrates the awarding of an honorary doctorate degree to Linfield alumnus Robert C. McHarness in 1982. Robert graduated in 1928 and went on to a successful career as a research chemist for DuPont. President Charles U. Walker and the Linfield faculty and trustees chose to award McHarness with an honorary Doctor of Science degree and the letters, speeches, and photos from the event are included.
McHarness Undergraduate Diploma

Robert C. McHarness

This image shows Robert C. McHarness's undergraduate diploma, awarded in 1928. Signatures include President Leonard W. Riley and Dean Emmanuel Northup. McHarness was awarded a degree in chemistry magna cum laude.
McHarness Grades, Fall 1924

Robert C. McHarness

Robert C. McHarness's grades from his first semester at Linfield College included an 'A' in chemistry. McHarness graduated in 1928 and went on to a career at DuPont.
McHarness Grades, Spring 1925

Robert C. McHarness

Robert C. McHarness's grades from his second semester at Linfield College included another 'A' in chemistry for the future DuPont chemist. (McHarness also earned an 'A' in chemistry during his first term.) McHarness graduated from Linfield in 1928.