alumni news
Alan Jay Isquith ‘53N
Alan, 78, died on June 1, 2014, at his home in Midland, MI surrounded by his loving family following a long, courageous battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Alan grew up on a small farm in Bound Brook, N.J. and often recalled the fun he and his siblings had there. He graduated from Admiral Farragut Academy in Toms River, where he served as Battalion Commander, and was on the wrestling, lacrosse and soccer teams. During the summers, he served aboard ship in the Merchant Marines. Alan received his bachelor’s degree in biology and chemistry from Tufts University in 1959, his master’s degree in microbiology and biochemistry at the University of New Hampshire in 1961, and his Ph.D. in microbial physiology at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, (now Drexel University). Alan and his family moved to Midland in 1968, where he began his 30-year career with Dow Corning Corp., setting up laboratories to do pioneering research on organosilicones, using
bacteria to test uses for Dow Corning materials. In 1977, he was awarded an Industrial Research 100 award for the development of a permanent antimicrobial treatment that came to be applied widely to textiles. Later, his laboratory screened products for potential long-range hazards, such as gene mutation, cancer-causing potential, and birth defects. Alan received several patents, published research and delivered addresses at conferences over his career. Along the way, he and wife Judy raised three children and numerous dogs and cats. They spent their retirement years traveling the U.S. and abroad, and pursuing their activities, which included biking, sailing and skiing. Alan brought the same attention to detail and enthusiasm to his hobbies as he did to his research, becoming an avid scuba diver and instructor. Even in his last four years when battling non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, he maintained his personal qualities of patience, perseverance, compassion and humor.
David Travers Tierney ‘54S USMC (ret.) David, 79, died Friday, April 25, 2014. Private services were held at Arlington National Cemetery. “When I became a Battalion Commander I wanted to be like him. I respected him greatly,” said Bill Soenksen ‘55S.
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NOTE: Death notices are printed as we receive them.