Born on May 2, 1922, in Rolinda, California, Dr. Pimentel received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1943. After a year working on the Manhattan Project at UC Berkeley and more than two years in the Navy, he returned to Berkeley to complete his graduate work. After earning his PhD in 1949, Dr. Pimentel joined the faculty at Berkeley and ten year later attained the rank of professor. From 1966 to 1968 he served as the Chair of the Chemistry Department. He served on the UC Select Committee on Education in 1965-1966. He was a member of the Lunar and Planetary Missions Board, an advisory unit to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), from 1967-1970 and a member of the National Academy's Committee on Science and Public Policy from 1975-1977. From July 1977 to June 1980, he served as Deputy Director of the National Science Foundation. In 1980 he assumed directorship of the Laboratory of Chemical Biodynamics, a division of the Lawrence Berkeley (National) Laboratory, and served until 1988. Dr. Pimentel was elected President of the American Chemical Society, serving in 1986. He spoke and wrote frequently and effectively as an advocate of basic research, scientific literacy, improvement of the public image of chemistry, and the value of the university. Dr. Pimentel died of cancer in his home in Kensington, California in 1989.
From the description of George C. Pimentel papers, 1880-1990 (bulk 1939-1990). (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 462933141
