▸ Obituaries John M. Birmingham
C R E D I T: COU RTESY O F S COT T BI R MI N GH A M ; CO U RT ESY O F JAY T H O MA N ( CH A N G ); CO U RT ESY O F CRA I G CO N OV E R (CO N OV E R ); CO U RT ESY O F ZO E CO O L E Y
John M. Birmingham, 87, died on April 24 in Longmont, Colo. “As a student at Harvard in 1952, John prepared the first organozirconium compound, zirconocene dibromide. John worked in the group of Geoffrey Wilkinson, who, along with Robert B. Woodward in 1951 had just described dicyclopentadienyliron— ferrocene. John wanted to be among the first to work in the emerging field joining organic and inorganic chemistry. In 1960, it was discovered that zirconocene dichloride could be used to catalyze ethylene polymerization. These early discoveries eventually led to metallocene olefin polymerization, which is widely employed to manufacture polymers. John was the founder of Boulder Scientific Company, which today is a leading supplier of metallocenes.”—Scott Birmingham, son
Most recent title: chair, Boulder Scientific Company
Education: B.S., chemistry, MIT, 1951; Ph.D., chemistry, Harvard University, 1955 Survivors: daughter, Kim Kanas; sons, James and Scott
Raymond Chang Raymond Chang, 77, died on April 10 in Bainbridge Island, Wash. “A prolific author, Raymond produced an assortment of books for nearly 50 years. Best known is his general chemistry textbook, first published in 1976 and now in its 12th edition. He was beloved by chemistry educators and enjoyed rock-star-like celebrity at meetings. Raymond’s enthusiasm for chemistry and his passion for teaching captured the imaginations of aspiring chemists and
inspired countless students who were intimidated by chemistry. With only a few lines on an index card, he delivered eloquent lectures, punctuated with masterful chemical demonstrations and corny jokes. His teaching and mentoring were characterized by warmth, charm, and playfulness.”—Jay Thoman, Chip Lovett, and Dave Richardson, colleagues
Keane; sons, Kirk, Roger, and Craig; stepsons, Walter Solomons and Andrew Meacham; 16 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren
ACS NEWS
James H. Cooley James H. (Jim) Cooley, 87, died on May 10 in Troy, Idaho.
Most recent title: professor of natural sciences, Williams College
Education: B.S., chemistry, Woolwich Polytechnic College at the University of London, 1962; Ph.D., physical chemistry, Yale University, 1966 Survivors: wife, Margaret; daughter, Elizabeth
Lloyd Conover Lloyd Conover, 93, died on March 11 in St. Petersburg, Fla. “In 1952, Lloyd invented the broad-spectrum antibiotic tetracycline. This discovery grew from a scientific hunch: Working with a team that had determined the chemical structures of two Pfizer antibiotics, Aureomycin and Terramycin, Lloyd intuited that since the recently deduced chemical structures of these two antibiotics were identical but for one branch of each molecule—an extra chlorine atom in Aureomycin and an additional hydroxyl group in Terramycin—these anomalous branches might be superfluous. He reasoned that if one could remove them, the resulting compound might also be therapeutically active, perhaps more so than the parent drug. Undeterred by skepticism from his colleagues as to the likelihood of success, Lloyd and a lab assistant succeeded on the first try, using an untested technique. I remember Dad coming home with a calm smile that night and happily pronouncing one word: ‘Eureka!’ ”—Kirk Conover, son
Most recent title: senior vice president of agricultural research, Pfizer
Education: B.A., chemistry, Amherst College, 1947; Ph.D., chemistry, University of Rochester, 1950 Survivors: wife, Katharine; daughter, Heather; stepdaughters, Sue Love, Virginia Karpovich, Katharine Meacham, and Laura
“Following his Ph.D., Jim accepted an assistant professorship at the University of Idaho, rising through the ranks to full professor in 1968 and retiring in 1992. He was active in research and passionate about teaching, receiving UI’s highest teaching award. He pioneered the problem-solving approach to the teaching of laboratory courses. Jim faced his death as he had lived—with a sense of humor, pragmatism, great dignity, and concern for the land and most especially for his loved ones.”—Richard V. Williams, friend and colleague
Most recent title: professor, University of Idaho
Education: B.S., chemistry, Middlebury College, 1952; Ph.D., organic chemistry, University of Minnesota, 1958 Survivors: wife, Zoe; daughter, Susan H. Cooley-Matsuura; son, Christopher; stepson, Ben A. May; two grandchildren
Alexander M. Cruickshank Alexander M. (Alex) Cruickshank, 97, died on June 10 in Westerly, R.I. “Alex joined the chemistry department at the University of Rhode Island in the 1940s and rose through the ranks to professor and chair, retiring in 1982. Starting in 1947, he also worked in a parallel role on the staff of the Gordon Research Conferences (GRC). In 1968, Alex became director of GRC, serving in that capacity until his retirement in 1993. During his 25 years as director, GRC expanded its conferences geographically to California, Europe, and Asia and grew the meeting portfolio in scientific breadth as well.”—Carlyle Storm, friend and colleague
Most recent title: director, Gordon Research Conferences NOVEMBER 6, 2017 | CEN.ACS.ORG | C&EN
43
