Professor David F. O'Brien

David Frank O'Brien passed away Saturday, July 13, 2002 at home in the arms of his family. His wife of 43 years, Nancy F. O'Brien, was at his side as were his children, James, Rebecca, and Alice. He is survived as well by his daughter-in-law, Cynthia Nocon; his son-in-law, Fumin Huang; and his three grandchildren, Alison, Rachel, and Nina, whom he adored.

David was born on November 18, 1936 in Litchfield, Illinois. He graduated from Wabash College in 1957 with a Bachelor of Science and from the University of Illinois in 1961 with a Ph.D. in Chemistry. David spent the first 25 years of his professional life as a research scientist at Eastman Kodak in Rochester, New York and the last 15 years as a Professor of Chemistry at the University of Arizona in Tucson. David loved his work and was a respected speaker at, and contributor to, scientific meetings and publications all over the world. David also was a devoted teacher and mentor of his students at the University of Arizona. Despite being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last December, David taught the entire spring semester at the University and summoned up his strength to go to his office one last time the day before he died to meet with students.

David was also a lifelong advocate of fairness and equality. During his many years in Rochester, New York, he was active in local democratic politics and worked many long hours to bring integrity and openness to the Rochester Democratic Party. As part of those efforts, David proudly served as a delegate to the 1972 Democratic National Convention in Miami, Florida. David loved life and the Great Outdoors. Throughout his life, his favorite vacation was to head to the mountains with Nancy to hike, backpack, ski and behold the wonders of this world.

The O'Brien family is grateful to Dr. Ana Maria Lopez and the nurses of the Arizona Cancer Center for their kindness these past seven months and, particularly, for allowing David to continue to live his life on his own terms until the very end.

David will be remembered at a Memorial Service at St. Philips Episcopal Church, 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, July 17. In lieu of flowers, donations will be gratefully accepted for the David F. O'Brien Graduate Fellowship Fund, c/o Department of Chemistry, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721.