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In Memoriam

Duane Brown (1918-2005)

Duane Brown, long-time Professor of Chemistry, died recently of complications related to Alzheimer's disease. Duane was born in eastern Arizona, where, as a youngster, he was an accomplished sling-shooter, pool-player, and harmonicist. His family relocated to Provo, Utah, where he attended BYU, played football, and received a degree in chemistry. After graduation, he went to work for the Dupont Corporation in their explosives division, leaving upon the outbreak of WWII to join the US Navy. He was an early trainee in the naval use of radar and served throughout the war aboard a submarine in the Pacific. Upon leaving the military, he received a Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Cornell University and returned to Arizona in 1951 to join George Bateman, Edward Burgoyne, and Jack Fuchs to round out the chemistry faculty at Arizona State College. Duane taught physical, inorganic and general chemistry throughout his career and returned from a 35-person ASU chemistry department in 1983. He was an enthusiastic Sun Devil fan, rarely missing (or scoring) a varsity baseball, basketball, or football game. He was a life-long Mormon and in retirement devoted himself to family, church, and the operation of a precious-metal recycling business.

LeRoy Eyring (1919-2005)

LeRoy Eyring passed away peacefully on November 28, 2005. He was born December 26, 1919 in Pima, Arizona. He followed in his oldest brother Henry Eyring's footsteps, choosing chemistry as a career. He received his B.S. degree from the University of Arizona and served in the Navy from 1944-1946, before earning his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1949. His first faculty position was at the University of Iowa. He spent 1958-1960 in Europe and Australia, the recipient of National Science Foundation, Guggenheim, and Fulbright- Hays research grants. These years initiated many scientifically productive international contacts and friendships. Upon his return, he was actively recruited by Arizona State University, and came home to his native state in 1961 as Chairman of the Chemistry Department. During his tenure, he established the department as one of the finest in the country and was the driving force behind the development of the Center for Solid State Science. LeRoy was named a Regents' Professor of Chemistry in 1988 and published more than 150 articles and books. He is recognized as a world-wide authority on rare earth oxides. The Ph.D,s and post-docs who studied with him now teach at prestigious institutions in the U.S. and abroad, and work in many major industrial laboratories. In addition to having a distinguished academic career, LeRoy was also a loving husband and father. He is survived by his wife LaReal; his four children: Michelle Dow, Patricia Castalia, Cynthia Eyring, and Gregory Eyring; and his four grandchildren: Drew and Ryan Castalia, and Katherine and Benjamin Eyring. A Remembrance Gathering was held at the Desert Botanical Garden's Webster Auditorium on Saturday, December 3rd, 2005.

In LeRoy's memory, the family has established the Eyring Scholarship in Chemistry through the ASU Foundation, Arizona State University, Tempe, 85287.

The link of a web page in Memory of Dr. LeRoy Eyring is at http://chemistry.asu.edu/Eyring_memorial.asp

Lucille Desmangles (1942-2005)

Lucille Desmangles will be greatly missed. She passed away June 14, 2005 as a result of complications of a stroke.  She began her career at ASU in September of 1990 and she came to the Chemistry Department in December of 1992. She served the Department for 13 years as the Business Manager. She was an exceptionally dedicated and valuable employee. She was extraordinarily capable and extremely loyal to the Department and to the University. She was always efficient, patient, and willing to stop what she was doing to help and advise.  She was a friend and a mother figure to many.  Lucille’s memory will always be with us.

Lucille was born into the Paolo family in New Brunswick, New Jersey on October 22, 1942.   She left to cherish her memory her husband Guy Desmangles, her children Cecilia, Celeste, Camille, Christa, Jack and Lucy, and a host of family and friends.