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In Memoriam: Carl A. Koval, 1952–2026

The Department of Chemistry mourns the passing of Professor Emeritus Carl A. Koval, a longtime member of the University of Colorado Boulder community, who died September 27, 2026, at the age of 74.

Koval joined the University of Colorado Boulder faculty in 1980 and remained at CU until his retirement in 2018, a career spanning nearly four decades. He was Professor Emeritus in Chemistry and an Institute Fellow Emeritus with the Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute (RASEI). 

An electrochemist by training, Koval earned his bachelor's degree from Juniata College and his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology before completing postdoctoral work at Purdue University. His research at CU Boulder encompassed renewable energy, and physical inorganic chemistry, including work on electrochemical separations and membrane-based technologies. 

During his long career at CU Boulder, Koval contributed not only through his research, but as a teacher, mentor and colleague to generations of students and members of the Chemistry community. Throughout his career, he played an active role in the life and leadership of the department. He served twice as chair of Chemistry, from 1998–2001 and again from 2015 until his retirement in 2018. He also helped establish CU Boulder's Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute and advised 26 Ph.D. students during his career.