Dr. Frank H. Dotterweich helped put the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University-Kingsville on the map. Known as "Doc" to everyone, he pioneered the Natural Gas Engineering Department as the first in the nation. 

Dotterweich came to Texas A&I University in 1937 and was part of the faculty for 45 years. He was named professor emeritus in 1982. He was Dean of the College of Engineering from 1947 to 1971 but continued to teach courses until Spring of 1989. He also worked on various technical projects well into his retirement. He died September 10, 1990.

During winter commencement in 1989, Dotterweich was given Texas A&I University's first Presidential Citation. He also was the recipient of the prestigious Donald L. Katz. Award from the Gas Processors Association for his "outstanding accomplishments in gas processing research and technology and for excellence in engineering education.

In 1980, a former student anonymously donated $250,000 to establish the Dotterweich Chair in Natural Gas Engineering. Former students were challenged to match the initial donation which they did in a matter of weeks.

Dotterweich earned a doctorate in chemical engineering from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. He served as a technical consultant for the Petroleum Administration for War in Washington D.C. from June 1942 until November 1947. While working toward his doctoral degree, Doc was a physical education instructor and lacrosse and football coach.

In 1928, he was granted a leave of absence from his job at Consolidated Gas, Electric Light and Power Company in Baltimore to participate as a member of the United States Olympic lacrosse team during the games in Amsterdam, Holland. Always the scholar, he took the time while in Europe to inspect and study gas plant design and operation.