Obituary
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.
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.
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.
Rodrigo Ventosilla Dead Sea
On their trip with Palestine Trek, Rodrigo Ventocilla Ventosilla and Morgan Benson visited the Dead Sea.
‘A Tour De Force’: Joan McPartlin Mahoney, Pioneering Female Crimson Reporter, Dies at 94
A career journalist who went on to report for the Boston Globe after serving as the first Radcliffe College correspondent for The Crimson, Joan Mahoney died at age 94 on July 22, at her home in Brimfield, Mass.
Dale W. Jorgenson, University Professor and ‘A Giant in the Economics Profession,’ Dies at 89
A University professor whose tenure at Harvard spanned over five decades, Dale W. Jorgenson died at the age of 89 at a hospital in Cambridge on June 8.
Preston J. Phillips, HMS Alum Killed in Tulsa Shooting, Remembered as ‘A Person of Extraordinary Warmth, Compassion’
Preston J. Phillips, a Harvard Medical School alum killed in a June 1 mass shooting in Tulsa, Okla., is remembered by his friends and colleagues as a talented surgeon who cared about providing care to those who needed it most.
Nieman Fellows Honor Colleague Brent Renaud, Acclaimed Journalist Killed in Ukraine
The Nieman Foundation’s 2022 cohort assembled a memorial in remembrance of Brent Renaud, acclaimed journalist and former Nieman fellow, in Harvard’s Science Center Plaza Tuesday afternoon.