Peter A. Krenkel, who taught environmental and water resources engineering (EVRE) at Vanderbilt from 1959 to 1973, died June 1 at his home in Reno, Nevada, of a brain tumor. He was 78. 

Krenkel was a well recognized expert in the field of environmental engineering and was an author and co-author of numerous books and articles addressing the subject of environmental engineering. He received his B.S. degree, his M.S. degree and his Ph.D. degree all from the University of California-Berkeley.

Krenkel started the EVRE graduate program in the Vanderbilt School of Engineering in 1962 and became department chair in 1969, when the program split from the civil engineering department.  Krenkel left the university to become director of the division of environmental planning for TVA, 1974-1978; and executive director water resources center University of Nevada Reno, 1978-1982. 

Krenkel was professor and Dean Emeritus of the College of Engineering at the University of Nevada Reno. He served as Dean of the College of Engineering during the period of 1982-1987.

In addition to Vanderbilt and the University of Nevada, he also taught at the University of California at Berkeley. He was consultant to numerous industries; local, state, and federal governments; and the world health organization. He was a registered professional engineer licensed in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Nevada.