Dr. Carl Henry Oppenheimer Jr. of Austin died Wednesday, Dec. 26, 2007, in an auto accident while visiting his wife's family in Brazil. He was 86, and formerly of Port Aransas.

CARL OPPENHEIMER Oppenheimer devoted his life to the research and development of ecologically safe methods of cleaning hydrocarbon pollution around the world. He was known worldwide as one of the founders of modern bioremediation technology.

Oppenheimer was born in Los Angeles, Calif., in l92l.

He served as a Navy Corpsman, and later as a Line Officer in the Pacific during World War II.

Oppenheimer received his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from the University of Southern California and his Doctorate in oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in l95l.

When he was awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to the University of Oslo, he took his wife Mildred Bond and their three young children to Norway.

Oppenheimer taught microbiology and oceanography at the college and graduate level at many institutions, including the University of Miami, Florida State University and the University of Texas at Austin Marine Science Institute in Port Aransas. He was the director of the Marine Science Institute in the 1970s and held the title of Professor Emeritus of Marine Sciences.

Oppenheimer was active on many prestigious international committees and consulted for government and the private industry, always writing and editing scientific papers and books. Most recently he was chief scientist of a bioremediation company under his name.

Oppenheimer enjoyed traveling, sailing, cooking, collecting rugs and enjoying family and friends.

Survivors include his wife, Nali Arndt Moreno of Austin; two sons, Douglas (Ellen) of Miami, Fla. and John (Kathi) of Austin; a daughter, Donna (Don Scott) of Mexico Beach, Fla.; two stepdaughters, Jen (Bob) Neve and Patricia (Mike) Harris, both of Austin; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and many friends, colleagues, and students.

A memorial service will be held in Austin this spring.