Obituaries

Alan was an attorney and partner at Eilbacher Fletcher and volunteered to counsel those who have been taken advantage of by their employers. He earned his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Michigan. He read a MLitt in English whilst a Rhodes Scholar.

Keith Conners, whose work with hyperactive children established the first standards for diagnosing and treating what is now known as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or A.D.H.D.

He was an American golfer who won the 1942 NCAA individual championship while at Stanford university. He served as president of the United States Golf Association and on the Executive Committee.

Ken was born on 7 October 1953 in Cape Town, South Africa. After graduating from the University of Cape Town with a BSc in Civil Engineering, Ken won a Rhodes Scholarship to study for a DPhil, at the University of Oxford, which he was awarded in 1980. After Oxford, he joined Golder Associates where he spent his entire 36 year career – initially working in Calgary before moving to Celle, Nottingham, Houston and then Halifax. His work included pipelines, sand and gravel islands, hybrid structures and spray ice islands. Ken's ability to work with others to integrate fundamental research and practical engineering made significant inroads into engineering ‘difficult ground’ around the world, with Ken becoming a globally recognised expert in geotechnical engineering involving reclaimed land and soft soils, in particular, for liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other onshore facilities for the oil and gas industry in North America, Africa and South America. His colleagues and co-authors regarded him as a true friend – gifted, humble, wise and a great mentor. ‘Retiring’ in 2015, Ken moved to Vancouver Island and, despite poor health, continued as a senior consultant until his death.

From Géotechnique, Volume 68 Issue 5, May, 2018, pp. 463-466.

At Oxford, Vince studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and took up the game of rugby. He played in the Varsity Match vs. Cambridge, and later as a team captain he toured Australia competing with the American All-Star team. During his time in England, he piloted a small plane on many adventures with classmates. When he returned to the states, Vince attended Stanford Law School where he earned his law degree in 1957. After earning his law degree, Vince joined the law firm of Brobeck, Phleger and Harrison. Several years later, he was recruited to work as General Counsel for Hilp & Rhodes, a commercial builder in San Francisco. In 1964, Vince joined the western region of Sears, Roebuck, and Co. and returned to southern California. He eventually moved to Chicago to work as General Counsel for the Sears subsidiary, Coldwell Banker. The original obit is here.

In 1941 Hugh entered Auburn University, where he studied physics and joined the Theta Chi social fraternity. In 1942 Hugh enlisted in the Naval Reserve as an Apprentice Seaman in the V-12 Program. Initially ordered to active duty in the Naval College Training Program at Georgia Tech, Hugh studied Electrical Engineering and participated in intramural sports and campus politics. The U.S. Navy then ordered Hugh to Midshipman's school, Columbia University, commissioned him Ensign, USNR, and designated him Instructor of Electrical Engineering. The Navy then assigned Hugh to the Service Force, for duty in the Atlantic Fleet camera party. As Officer in Charge of the Detachment on the USS Wyoming, Hugh directed photographic observations of experiments designed to thwart enemy aircraft. After World War II, Hugh returned to Auburn, receiving a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and a Masters in Physics. Hugh was elected to several scholastic honour societies as an undergraduate and masters' student; conducted scientific research on pulse x-ray tubes in his graduate studies; and presented his work to esteemed science societies at Yale University, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the University of Alabama. In 1948, The University of Oxford accepted Hugh as Auburn's first Rhodes Scholar, a distinguished honour, of which Hugh was always extremely proud. The original obit is here.

Laurence was a successful antitrust and apellate lawyer and former chairman of the Heller Ehrman law firm in San Francisco. He studied Jurisprudence whilst a Rhodes Scholar and graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School in 1962. He served on several boards including the Board of the Jewish Home for the Aged and as an adjunct professor of antitrust at Golden Gate University School Law School.

A native of Kansas, Ontjes attended medical school at Harvard, following a Rhodes Scholarship. He completed residency training at Boston City Hospital and a fellowship at the National Institutes of Health, before joining the UNC School of Medicine faculty in 1969.

Stuart Bondurant, MD, former UNC School of Medicine Dean, recruited Ontjes to Chapel Hill.

“David Ontjes was a thoughtful and considerate man and an outstanding clinician, investigator and teacher. He guided the department of medicine and helped to guide the medical center to its current outstanding state,” Bondurant said.

A Distinguished Professor and former Medicine Chair, Dr. Ontjes encouraged and vigorously supported collaborations within the School of Medicine, leaving behind a legacy of contributions.

“Dr. David Ontjes embodied the spirit of collegiality that is the hallmark of our institution,” said Department of Medicine Chairman Dr. Ron Falk.

To recognize these contributions to the Department of Medicine, an intern is annually selected to receive the Ontjes Resident Award. Criteria include excellence in research and academics as well as outstanding service to others. At the recent 2017 Residents Award Ceremony, four residents were acknowledged for their performance and qualities that best exemplify the legacy of Dr. Ontjes.

“Dr. Ontjes participated in the education of countless medical students, residents and fellows,” said Andrew Greganti, MD. “He also recruited and helped mentor many faculty members. I know that he would say his involvement in the professional and personal development of physicians was a highlight of his career.”

The legacy of Dr. Ontjes is also celebrated throughout the year with the Ontjes Resident as Teacher lectures on effective teaching methods, lifelong learning, and other topics related to medical education. These lectures are made possible by a fund that was endowed by Dr. Ontjes.