In Memoriam Friends of the college
and attended UCSF to earn his doctorate in dental surgery in 1958, beginning a 28-year dental practice. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Carol Burton.
EDWARD S. DUTTO
Rodney J. Pence (B.S. ChemE), who made his career with General Electric, passed away on May 1, 2013. He and his wife, Imogene, made their home in Oro Valley, AZ.
Edward S. Dutto (B.A. ’55, L&S), a valued staff member of more than thirty years who led the facilities unit in the College of Chemistry, passed away on May 25, 2013. A native of the Bay Area, he loved traveling and spending time with his family. He especially enjoyed following his grandchildren’s activities, eating good food and studying opera. He is survived by his wife, Vittorina, with whom he made his home in Moraga, CA.
Alumni ’36 Norbert C. Brady (B.S. Chem), a
generous and loyal supporter of the college, passed away on July 10, 2013, at the age of 98, in Riverside, CA. A modest man, he spent his career in the Navy. In 2004, he and his wife, Florence, established a substantial unitrust to benefit the College of Chemistry. In addition, his estate has left the college a significant bequest. We are deeply grateful for these two gifts of philanthropy. Florence passed away in July 2009.
’41 We have learned that Berkeley emeritus professor Paul L. Chambré (B.S. Chem), who was born in 1918 in Kassel, Germany, passed away peacefully on April 13, 2013. He was a professor of nuclear engineering whose primary research area was applied mathematics. He was predeceased by his wife, Jane, with whom he made his home in Moraga, CA. ’47 Clark R. Burton (B.S. Chem), a
native of the Bay Area, died on March 2, 2013. His chemistry studies at UC Berkeley were interrupted by service in WWII in the Army Air Corps. Initially employed at Shell Chemical after graduation, he changed careers after seven years
’53
’54 William P. “Bill” Cox (Ph.D. Chem
with William Giauque) passed away in Morgan Hill, CA, on April 20, 2013, at the age of 87. Bill worked as an engineer at various companies, mainly in Silicon Valley, including Advanced Micro Devices for 20 years. He was a long-time member of several environmental organizations, including the Sierra Club. His wife of 54 years, Alice, predeceased him in 2007.
’65 We have learned from her mother
that Joyce A. Edgar (B.S. Chem), who lived in Mogadore, OH, passed away on April 3, 2011.
’69 Richard Q. “RQ” Williams (B.S.
Chem) passed away August 9, 2013, at the age of 67. He delighted in alumni events at Berkeley as well as at UC Davis, where he began his college career. He continued his academic pursuits as a doctoral candidate at Brown University in the 1970s. With a strong background in chemistry, he became a winemaker—a skill that brought him to the Napa Valley. He transitioned to working as a real estate broker in 1980, a career that he enjoyed tremendously. His wife, Roberta, predeceased him.
’02 Jason D. McCargar (B.S. ChemE),
a childhood computer whiz who established an IT consulting business, Redstar Computers, died suddenly on March 18, 2013. He was a prolific artist, horticulturist, handyman and chef, both professionally and at home. He is survived by his wife of 16 years, Stephanie, with whom he lived in San Rafael, CA. compiled by karen elliott
23
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce that Swetha Akella, who earned her chemistry B.S. in May 2013, passed away from a rare and aggressive form of cancer.
’13
Swetha was born in Fremont, CA on Sept. 18, 1991, and graduated from Foothill High School in Pleasanton in 2009, where she was one of four valedictorians. During her years at the college, she worked in the Keasling lab at the Joint Bioenergy Institute for three years. She also was a student research assistant at the Berkeley Center for Green Chemistry, a 2012 summer intern at Genentech in their Green BioPharma program, and a 2013 intern at Silver Creek Pharmaceuticals in San Francisco. According to Undergraduate Dean Marcin Majda, “Swetha was a very serious and driven student, yet soft-spoken and gentle. She loved science and dedicated many hours to research. I was always very impressed with her progress and had big hopes for her future as a scientist.” Swetha is survived by her father, Ram; her mother, Sita; and her brother, Abishek. The family lives in Pleasanton, CA. The college has established a fund in Swetha’s memory that will provide support to undergraduate students. To make a gift to the Swetha Akella Memorial Fund, please visit givetocal.berkeley.edu/chem and enter “Swetha” in the search field. Fall 2013 Catalyst