Dr. Shelby Davis Worley

Dave Worley, Professor Emeritus of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University passed away on April 16, 2024.

He was born on January 31, 1942, in Russellville, Alabama.  His parents were Shelby L. Worley and Betty L. Davis.  He spent his formative years in Scottsboro, Alabama and graduated from Scottsboro High School in 1960.  He then attended Auburn University where he graduated with a BS in Chemistry with Honor in 1964.  He received a PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Texas in Austin in 1969 and then spent a three-year ROTC military commitment at the Johnson Spacecraft Center in Houston, where he performed research on atmospheric chemistry.  He then spent a year as an Assistant Professor of Physical Chemistry at the Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, and a year as a contract officer at the Office of Naval Research in Washington DC.

He then was fortunate to be appointed to the faculty of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at his alma mater Auburn University where he served for 35 years, retiring as a Professor of Organic Chemistry in 2009.  While at Auburn, Dave won several teaching and research awards.  He published frequently in Chemistry journals and authored numerous patents on antimicrobial materials, several of which were licensed by the University to start-up companies.  Following retirement, he continued his research work as a Professor Emeritus.

Dave loved sports, particularly all of Auburn sports.  He participated in most all team sports throughout his life and was an avid tennis player even into his 80s.  He enjoyed singing and was a bass in the Auburn Methodist Choir for over 50 years. He was also a passionate traveler and reader.

One week after graduating from Auburn University in June 1964, Dave married Karen Holcombe whom he had met and to whom he had become engaged while a student at Auburn.  They remained a devoted couple for 59 years until his passing.  In addition to Karen, he leaves behind two sons Christopher Gordon Worley (Brittany) of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Brian Scott Worley (Yolanda) of East London, South Africa, and six beloved grandchildren, Sarah of Chicago, Illinois, Ryan of Colorado Springs, Colorado, John of Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Olivia, Owen, and Musa of East London South Africa.

A memorial service will be held at the Auburn United Methodist Church on Monday, April 22nd at 11:00 a.m.  Memorial contributions will be welcomed by the Auburn University Foundation designated for the Shelby D and Karen H Worley Professorship in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Auburn University. In lieu of flowers, donations are welcome to the Community Market Food Pantry located at 3810 C Pepperell Parkway, Opelika, AL 36801.