March 2, 2004--William E. Covey, 73, who received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at UD in 1952, died Jan. 30, 2004, after a three-year battle with multiple myeloma.

Mr. Covey was founder and chairperson of the board of Hair Systems Inc., headquartered in Englishtown, N.J. Hair Systems Inc. is a leader in the hair reactive hair care industry, supplying national and international recognized brand names. During Mr. Covey’s tenure with Hair Systems Inc., he expanded the company from five employees to more than 125 employees, with a subsidiary located in the United Kingdom.

Born in Centreville, Md., Mr. Covey moved with his family to Wilmington when he entered seventh grade. He graduated in 1948 from Wilmington High School and entered the University of Delaware. At UD, he was a member of the Delta Kappa chapter of Sigma Nu. After graduation, he went on to earn his professional engineering license.

Mr. Covey was an avid supporter of the Blue Hen football team, When not in his season ticket seats to watch the Blue Hens, he could be found deep sea fishing and sailing the waters of the world.

Another important part of Mr. Covey's life was his active involvement with Boy Scouts, having served as a Weblo leader, cub master and scoutmaster with Troop #63 in Brielle, N.J., where he lived.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Army, having served as a lieutenant in the Korean War from 1952-54.

Memorial donations may be made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation online at [www.multiplemyeloma.org], or by sending a check, payable to the MMRF, at 3 Forest St., New Canaan, CT 06840; or to the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Ave., New York, NY 10021.