Wells, Herbert C., 1927-2010

Herbert C. Wells was born April 11, 1927 in Omaha, Nebraska. After his father was killed in a plane crash in 1931, his mother moved herself and Wells to Los Angeles, California to be near her husband's parents. They moved several times, but the goal was always to find good schools for Wells and his sister.

Wells received a junior high education at Trailfinders School for Boys, and then attended Woodrow Wilson Junior High School in ninth grade. He then was sent to the San Diego Army Navy Academy, where he completed high school in two years and graduated at age 16. Wells next enrolled at Pasadena Junior College, majoring first in chemistry and then in geology, and was drafted into the army at age 18.

After World War II, Wells returned to Berkeley to finish his education. The Government-Issued (G.I.) bill helped him finish his master's degree. He then went to work for United Geophysical for two years, and following that, was hired at a mine in Climax, Colorado. Wells and his second wife moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957, where he began working for Titanium Metals. After three weeks on the job, he met with Dr. Malcolm Graham from early University of Nevada, Las Vegas, who asked Wells to teach surveying.

Wells taught surveying for only one semester, but continued his association with the faculty at the university. He kept working at Titanium Metals, where he learned a lot of practical chemistry, but was laid off shortly thereafter. He then was offered a job with Blue Diamond Gypsum as a plant engineer and continued teaching on a part-time basis. He became a full-time instructor at the college in 1961.

By 1967, Wells had been appointed chairman of science, math, and engineering. He immediately put in a request for ten more teaching positions, which were ultimately filled. He also was involved with putting together a proposal for a graduate degree in physics and the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for engineering degrees.