Wladyslaw Metanomski

Wladyslaw "Val" Metanomski (1923–2008) was a chemist of Polish descent who was born in Vienna, Austria, educated in London, began his chemical career in Canada, and spent the remainder of his career in the United States. He is chiefly noted for his extensive service in making the results of chemical research more available to succeeding investigators.
Life.
Metanomski was born in Vienna in 1923 of Polish parents. When Germany invaded Poland he joined the Polish Army in exile. As a member of that force he participated in the 1944 Battle of Monte Cassino in Italy. At the conclusion of World War II he moved to London, receiving a B.S. degree in chemical engineering in 1952.
His first position after graduation was with the Dearborn Chemical Company in Toronto, Ontario (1952–1958). He interrupted his career (1958–1964) to obtain an M.S. degree in chemical engineering (1960) and a Ph.D. degree in polymer chemistry (1964) from the University of Toronto.
Upon graduation from U of T, Metanomski joined the Editorial Division of the US Chemical Abstracts Service (1964). During his long service there (until November 2008) he developed vocabulary control and helped refine that service's publications.
Metanomski remained active in his profession until four weeks before his death. He died on 11 December 2008 at Columbus, Ohio. His wife Helena (married 1964) died 37 days later (16 January 2009). He is survived by daughter Marianne and two grandchildren.