Robert Hagemeyer was born on August 23, 1925, in Detroit, Michigan. He enrolled at the University of Michigan where he received his bachelor of science degree in chemical engineering in 1948.

He joined Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation, progressing to manager of the pigments department. In 1965, he joined Pfizer, Inc., as manager of paper industry products for the mineral, pigments, and metals division. In 1974, he joined J.M. Huber Company in Atlanta as manager of special projects. He retired from there in 1990, after which he served as a consultant and advisor to the industry until his death.

Mr. Hagemeyer was the recipient of numerous awards during his career. He is the author of 41 publications. A seminal publication was "The Effect of Particle Shape and the Chemical Composition on the Packing Characteristics of Pigment Combinations", 1960. This publication greatly increased the interest in calcium carbonate for improved coated paper sheets. Together with his helping to influence Pfizer to develop on-site plants, Mr. Hagemeyer's promotion of the pigment through filler for fiber substitution saved the paper industry hundreds of millions of dollars, while generating improved products.

Mr. Hagemeyer died on January 15, 2001. His wife, Yolande, died July 5, 2003. They are survived by three children, Judy Randall Hagemeyer; H. John Hagemeyer; and Robert W. Hagemeyer Jr.

Steve Roush is Vice President, Publisher and Editor and in charge of the International Desk at Paperitalo Publications. Many thanks go to the Paper Industry International Hall of Fame, Inc., for biographical information on Hall of Fame inductees.