July 21, 2021

Shannon Tompkins:
The Chronicle’s Shannon Tompkins, who earned a master’s in public policy from Rice, was honored by the Texas Wildlife Association for lifetime achievement.  Read more. 

Lee Mary Kobayashi (1929-2021):
On July 10, Lee Mary Kobayashi passed away.  A native Texan, she earned a BA from Rice in 1950 and a Master’s in Library Science and a PhD (ABD) in Children’s Literature.  She “worked as a school teacher, medical research librarian and school librarian sharing her love of learning with everyone she met”.  Also, she was an active Rice alumna as a charter member and former president of the Rice Historical Society and a very involved member of the Faculty Women’s Club.

In 1951, she was married to Wally Lovejoy ‘50.  After his unexpected passing in 1970, she married Riki Kobayashi ’44, the long-time distinguished Chemical Engineering professor.  He predeceased her in 2013.  She “was a truly fine, wonderful person and will be mourned by many”. Click here for the Chronicle obituary.

July 19, 2021

George Zenner MD, Jr (1935-2021):
On July 13, George Zenner MD, Jr passed away.  A native New Yorker, he earned a BA from Rice in 1956 and a MD from UT Galveston in 1960.  He had a highly respected private practice in Houston from 1963 until 1978 and then he assumed teaching and administrative leadership positions with UT – Houston Medical School.  In total, he enjoyed a 54-year medical career.  Also, “he loved the outdoors, and thoroughly enjoyed his hunting and fishing trips”.  He is survived by, among others, his wife of sixty-two years, Tommye.  Click here for the Chronicle obituary.