i n
m e m o r i a m
Seaborg arranged research space for her in the old “Rat House,” one of the original chemistry buildings. She intended to go on to graduate school but, according to Dr. Dennis Patton in a 1994 historical article in the journal Academic Radiology, her plan was thwarted by then dean G.N. Lewis, who for a time refused to allow additional women to enter the college’s graduate program because a previous female graduate had married shortly after graduation and had thereby “‘wasted her entire education’.” Nevertheless, she was one of the first women to be involved in the highly classified field of nuclear research and, during World War II, was among a select group of scientists who worked on the Manhattan Project.
34
Margaret, a third-generation native Californian and daughter of the prominent geologist, John Melhase, was born and grew up in Berkeley. While at UC Berkeley, she was president of the student chapter of the American Chemical Society and an enthusiastic member of the Berkeley Folk Dancers. She met and married her husband, Robert Fuchs (Ph.D. ’54, Mathematics), a UC Berkeley professor of mathematics, during her undergraduate years and later moved with him to Los Angeles. After leaving chemistry, Margaret was active in social causes and became an outspoken advocate for the farmworkers of southern California. She organized the annual L.A. Crop Walk and edited a hunger resource magazine. Her daughter, Margaret Melaney, explained, “Having been turned down as a scientist because she was a woman, she was able to relate to the experiences that others might have, and to use her intelligence to work on their behalf.” She was predeceased by her husband, Robert, and two children. She is survived by her daughter, Margaret Melaney (B.A. ’64, Psych.), of Menlo Park. based in part on keay davidson.
SF CHRONICLE
obituary by
Harold B. Queen (B.S. Chem) of Walnut Creek, CA, passed away on May 14, 2006.
College of Chemistry, UC Berkeley
He began his career at E.I. DuPont and moved to Cutter (Bayer) Laboratories in 1950. In 1982 he retired from his position at Bayer as a senior production engineer. He then spent the next 22 years as a member of the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAP), an RV-based national organization offering volunteer labor in construction, repair, or rehabilitation of churches, bible camps, conference centers, etc., throughout the United States. He is survived by his wife, June. Donald H. Cronquist, Sr. (B.S. Chem) passed away on July 14, 2006. Formerly in product development and mechanical engineering at DHS Engineering, he made his home in San Jose, CA.
’42
We have learned that Edward Weis (B.S. Chem), of Santa Rosa, CA, has passed away. He was a real estate broker with Properties Unlimited. He is survived by his wife, Caryl.
’43
Richard E. Melrose (B.S. Chem) of Stockton, CA, passed away on March 18, 2006. He had retired as a manager of technical services at Clorox. His son, Robert Melrose (B.S. ’80; O.D. ’82, Optometry) is a Berkeley alumnus. He is survived by his wife, Helen Ruby Melrose (B.S. ’44, Agricultural Science).
’44
We have learned that Russell Hodgson Ball (M.S., B.S. ’43, Chem), of Escondido, CA, passed away on August 5, 2006. He studied with Melvin Calvin.
’45
David Moore Howell (B.S. Chem), who was a retired professor of organic chemistry at Northeastern University, passed away on July 21, 2006. Howell received his M.S. and Ph.D. in chemistry from the University of Michigan. He is survived by his wife, Valeska. The Howells made their home in Needham, MA.
Mary A. King Skapski (B.S. Chem) passed away in Vermont on August 21, 2006, at the age of 82. Born in Nebraska, she interrupted her studies at Berkeley for more than a year to work in a chemical factory as part of the war effort. She earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Vermont in 1956. Skapski was a science teacher for 36 years, working with her husband, Adam, in Nigeria, and, following his death in 1968, teaching at secondary schools in Texas and at Pine Ridge School, a private boarding school in Vermont for students with learning disabilities. Piano teacher and organist, Skapski was a faithful church-goer. She is survived by her daughter, Ellen Sovkoplas, of Brownsville, TX, five grandchildren, and one greatgrandchild.
’46
Alvin G. Ash (B.S. ChemE), formerly president of Olympic Chemical Corporation in Gig Harbor, WA, passed away on February 23, 2006.
’47
Carol Nelson Kennington (B.A. Chem), of Ontario, OR, passed away on February 3, 2006. She was self-employed. She is survived by her husband, William. We have belated information that Allen Gee (B.S. Chem) passed away on November 2, 2004. He received his Ph.D. in 1951 from MIT. He was retired from Hughes Aircraft. He is survived by his wife, Mary, with whom he made his home in Newport Beach, CA.
’48
William Brenton Harford (B.S. ChemE; M.B.A. ’53) passed away on August 12, 2006. He was retired from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. He is survived by his wife, Arlene, with whom he made his home in Danville, CA. We have learned from his widow, Pat, that Douglas Haskell (B.S. ChemE), of Novato, CA, passed away in March, 2006.