Anthony C. Shabica, 87, Was Renowned Chemist

Dr. Anthony Charles Shabica, of Oak Bluffs and Destin, Fla., died Tuesday, April 15. He was 87.

Chairman of the New Jersey Council for Research and Development he was instrumental in the creation of the $68 million Liberty Science Center of New Jersey, the state's first hands-on museum. As chairman, he provided leadership in industry/government cooperation in the fields of energy and environmental matters.

Born in Meadville, Penn., he is a graduate of Brown University, and earned his masters and doctorate from Pennsylvania State University in Chemistry. After graduation he worked for Merck and Co. for four years as a senior chemist. He joined CIBA Pharmaceutical Company in 1946 to head their newly established Developmental Research Division. When he retired from CIBA-GEIGY in 1980 he was vice president for development and quality control. He was commander of the Sigma Nu fraternity, member of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Society, and the Brown University alumni association.

He has authored over 40 original publications including papers on the development of synthetic blood plasma undertaken during WWII. His research was also the basis for most of the steroid and corticosteroid development in the pharmaceutical industry. He has published papers on vitamins and amino acids, synthetic chemistry, risk analysis, and holds 12 patents in these fields. He is coauthor of the book, How Modern Medicines are Developed.

He was a fellow of the American Institute of Chemists, a member of the Academy of Pharmaceutical Sciences, and the Federacion Internationale in Pharmaceutique. As Fellow of the New York Academy of Sciences, he has served as vice chairman and chairman of the Chemical Section. Also member of the American Pharmaceutical Association, he lectured extensively on the pharmaceutical industry. From 1981 to 1982 he was adjunct professor at the University of the Virgin Islands where he provided his services pro bono.

He was an adult leader of Boy Scout Troop 23, served on the executive board of the Orange Mountain Council, Boy Scouts of America, was instrumental in the establishment of the Boys' and Girls' Club of Martha's Vineyard, was a member of the Kiwanis Club of Fort Walton Beach, and was a member of the board of trustees of the Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association. He was a Sunday school teacher and choir member at Livingston Presbyterian Church, a choir member at the First Presbyterian Church in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and the Methodist Tabernacle.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Eleanor Wright Shabica of Oak Bluffs and Destin; 3 sons, Dr. Charles Wright Shabica, Dr. Stephen Vale Cofer-Shabica, Dr. Carl Sayles Shabica, Attorney; a sister, Mary Sciabica; 11 grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

The family will place a bench overlooking Oak Bluffs harbor in his memory. Those who wish, may remember Tony through donations to the Tabernacle Restoration Fund, Martha's Vineyard Camp Meeting Association, Oak Bluffs, MA 02557.