March 10, 2021

Paul F Meier, PhD '78:
Paul F Meier, PhD Chemistry ’78, recently published The Changing Energy Mix – A Systematic Comparison of Renewable and Nonrenewable Energy.  This book makes a systematic comparison of twelve different energy types to help understand the driving forces for the changing energy mix.  Click here to read more and/or to purchase.

Sue Levinson Herskowitz (1932-2021):
On March 5, Sue Levinson Herskowitz, “a lifelong Houstonian and the wife of sports columnist and author Mickey Herskowitz”, passed away.  She was an honors student at Rice (class of 1954) and, as Rice’s head drum majorette, she “was the first person to set foot officially on Rice Stadium’s turf on the opening night of 1950”.  For family reasons, she had to drop out of Rice and then she earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s in social work from UH ten years later.

She was “a teacher, educational diagnostician, counselor, and social worker” as well as a “rescue activist”.  Also, “she was a devoted wife and loving mother who didn’t spoil her grandchildren”.  She is survived by, among others, Mickey (they were married for 66 years).  Click here for the wonderfully written obituary.

March 8, 2021

Dr Henry Steele (1931-2021):
On February 18, Dr Henry Steele passed away.  Raised in Houston, he earned a BA from Rice in 1952 and a PhD in Economics from MIT in 1957.  He first taught at Rice and then he enjoyed a thirty-five year career as a professor at UH plus he worked as a consultant on assignments that took him around the world.  Also, “he had an insatiable desire to be in the wilds of nature” and in the West.  He is survived by, among others, his wife of sixty years Janet.  Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

March 6, 2021

Moody Center:
How Mark Rothko changed Byron Kim's life (Rice News)

Gilda Barabino:
Gilda Barabino, who earned her PhD in Chemical Engineering from Rice in 1986, has been selected as president-elect of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  Read more.  (Thanks, Monique Shankle ’86 and George Webb ‘88/’91!)

Dr Charlie Rabinowitz (1949-2021):
On February 28, Dr Charlie Rabinowitz passed away.  A native Texan, he attended Rice (class of 1971).  After his undergraduate studies, he graduated from UT Medical School at San Antonio with a MD in 1975.  Following training, he began a “long and illustrious career” as a specialist in cardiology in 1981.  Also, he had many hobbies including fishing and hunting.  He is survived by, among others, his wife of fifteen years, Kristi.  Click here for the San Antonio Express-News obituary.

March 3, 2021

Making Sense:
Grad student symposium hosts international experts on five senses (Rice News)

Elizabeth Gayle (1921-2021):
On February 14, Elizabeth Gayle passed away, two weeks shy of turning 100.  A native Houstonian, she graduated from Rice in 1942.  She was an avid supporter of the Rice Owls and she was very active in the community.  Also, she enjoyed photography, was an avid gardener and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren.  Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

Rice History Corner:
Click here for Melissa Kean's latest blog entry entitled "I am faithfrul only to love, 1930".