Obituary
Harvard Ed School Prof. Emeritus Robert LeVine Remembered as ‘Kind Presence’ With ‘Childlike Curiosity’
Harvard Graduate School of Education professor emeritus Robert A. LeVine was remembered by his friends, family, and colleagues as “benevolent” and “very supportive,” with a “childlike curiosity” that guided his interdisciplinary approach. He died in August at the age of 91.
Harvard Kennedy School Professor Emeritus Lewis Branscomb, ‘A Giant Among Giants,’ Dies at 96
Harvard Kennedy School emeritus professor Lewis M. Branscomb was known for his contributions to the use of science in public policy and his advancement of understanding how technology impacts society. He died on May 31 at age 96 in Redwood City, California.
History of Science Professor Everett Mendelsohn Remembered As ‘Colossus’ in His Field
Everett I. Mendelsohn, a Harvard professor emeritus known for his pioneering work studying the history of biology and the relationship between scientific progress and its social and historical contexts, died on June 6 at his home in Cambridge. He was 91.
Harvard Law Professor Charles Ogletree Jr., ‘Renaissance Lawyer’ and Staunch Civil Rights Defender, Dies at 70
Charles J. Ogletree Jr., a Harvard Law School professor emeritus internationally renowned as a civil rights scholar and litigator who advocated for equality and social justice, died on Aug. 4 at his home in Odenton, Maryland. He was 70.
Astronomer Owen Gingerich, Defender of Pluto and Scientist With Spirituality, Dies at 93
Upon his retirement in 2000 after a 40 year-long career, Harvard professor Owen J. Gingerich had, with astronomer David W. Latham, taught the longest-running Harvard course under continuous leadership. He died on May 28, 2023 at the age of 93.
Pentagon Papers Whistleblower Daniel Ellsberg ’52 Remembered as Nuclear Nonproliferation Advocate, Film Buff
Daniel Ellsberg ’52, a military analyst turned antiwar whistleblower who exposed government lies about the Vietnam War in 1971 by leaking a top-secret 7,000-page study of the conflict known as the Pentagon Papers, died on June 16 at his home in Kensington, California. He was 92.
Harvard Kennedy School Student Mateo Gomez Remembered as ‘Caring, Calm, and Selfless’
Mateo Gomez, a Harvard Kennedy School student in the mid-career master in public administration program and a special agent for the FBI, was born in Medellín, Colombia, and immigrated to Miami when he was 10. Friends and family remember Gomez as a fierce advocate for LGBTQ+ rights who was passionate about giving back to those around him.
Yoshito Kishi, Organic Chemist Who Climbed ‘Mount Everest’ of Synthesis, Dies at 85
Yoshito Kishi, a Harvard emeritus chemistry professor known for his contributions to breast cancer treatment, died on Jan. 9.
Former College Dean John Bayley Fox Jr. Remembered as ‘A Defender of the Best Qualities of Harvard’
According to many, John Bayley Fox Jr. strived to make Harvard a more inclusive environment that could respond to every student’s needs. At Harvard, he held positions including assistant dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Harvard College dean, and administrative dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. He died on Nov. 27 at the age of 86.
Thomas Lee ’65, Harvard Donor and Billionaire Private Equity Investor, Dies at 78
Thomas H. Lee ’65, a billionaire private equity investor and prominent donor to Harvard, died on Thursday at 78, according to family friend and spokesperson Michael Sitrick.
James Houghton, Harvard Corporation Senior Fellow Who Selected First Female President, Dies at 86
James R. “Jamie” Houghton ’58 died Dec. 20, 2022 at the age of 86. As senior fellow, Houghton oversaw the transition across three University presidents and reviewed Corporation governance.
Sports Reporter and Former Harvard Crimson Editor Gwen Knapp ’83 Dies at 61
Mary “Gwen” Knapp ’83 — a sports journalist at the Philadelphia Inquirer, the San Francisco Chronicle, and the New York Times — died on Jan. 20 at age 61 after a year-long battle with lymphoma.
Christopher Walsh ’65, Renowned Biochemist and Harvard Medical School Professor, Dies at 78
Christopher Walsh ’65, a renowned biochemist and Harvard Medical School professor, died on Jan. 10 at the age of 78. Throughout his career, Walsh made significant contributions in the areas of enzyme function, metabolic pathways, and antibiotic biosynthesis.
Harvard Remembers Beloved Tai Chi Instructor and Adams House Affiliate Yon Lee
Yon G. Lee coached martial arts at Harvard for more than three decades, eventually becoming the University’s chief instructor of kung fu and tai chi. A beloved affiliate of Adams House, Lee died on Jan. 6 at the age of 74.
Henry Rosovsky, Former Harvard FAS Dean, Remembered for Contributions to Undergrad Education and African American Studies
Rosovsky, who served as the dean of the FAS from 1973 to 1984, died on Nov. 11 in his home in Cambridge.
Luke Balstad ’25 Remembered as ‘Incredibly Special,’ ‘Passionate,’ and ‘Kind’
Luke T. Balstad’s friends, family, and teachers remember him as a uniquely thoughtful, kind, and brilliant person who brightened the lives of those around him. He was passionate about self-care and helping others, hoped to become a doctor, and loved the outdoors.
Arda Cataltepe ’23 Remembered as a ‘Compassionate’ and ‘Mission-Driven’ Leader and Friend
“He was just a really extraordinary person," said Julia Kendall ’23 of Arda Cataltepe '23, who died of a prolonged illness Nov. 4. Friends remember Cataltepe as "supportive," "compassionate," and "humble."
Ash Carter
Ash Carter, who served as Secretary of Defense in the final two years of the Obama administration, opened military combat jobs to women and ended a ban on transgender people serving in the military.
Mick Cusimano, a Poet, Filmmaker, and Harvard Art Museums Employee, Remembered as ‘Unique’ and Inspiring
Mick Cusimano, 71, died of cancer on July 23. He dubbed himself “the professor of surrealism” and had a deep passion for history, arts, poetry, and film, his friends recalled.
Jay O. Light, Former Harvard Business School Dean, Dies at 81
Jay O. Light, who served as dean of the Harvard Business School from 2005 to 2010, died of cancer earlier this month at his home in Massachusetts. He was 81.
Anthony Ferranti ’46, Longtime Harvard Square Business Owner, Remembered as a Caring Mentor
Former employees of the Ferranti-Dege camera shop, co-founded by Anthony C. Ferranti ’46 in 1955, would affectionately refer to themselves as alumni of “Ferranti-Dege University.”
‘Always Thinking of Others’: Harvard Law School Student Jeremy Hendley Remembered for Selflessness
Whether it was as a husband, friend, co-worker, student, or dog dad, first-year Harvard Law School student Jeremy C. Hendley always found selfless ways to solve others’ problems, according to friends and family.
Estudiante de Harvard Kennedy School Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla es recordado como un ‘luchador’ por los derechos trans
Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla, un estudiante del Harvard Kennedy School quien murió bajo custodia policial en Indonesia el mes pasado, es recordado como un “luchador” por los derechos de las personas trans en Perú y el extranjero.
Rodrigo Ventocilla Obit Polaroid
Rodrigo Ventocilla, pictured in a polaroid photograph outside of the Harvard Kennedy School.
Harvard Kennedy School Student Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla Remembered as a ‘Fighter’ for Trans Rights
Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla, a Harvard Kennedy School student who died in police custody in Indonesia last month, was remembered as a “fighter” by those who knew him.