This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: KAUFMAN, VAUGHAN, TOWNE, GILLILAND Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/23075/mb.ashx Message Board Post: KAUFMAN, Dr. Kurt Formerly of Kalamazoo, MI Passed away July 1, 2008. Grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana. He earned his B.A. from Wabash College, a Masters from Harvard University, and a D.Phil in organic chemistry from Oxford University. He held over 10 patents for drugs developed from his work with the psoralens, organic compounds found in the skin. He also conducted research at Kalsec, a spice extraction company in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He was loved and respected as a professor at Kalamazoo College, where he was considered a truly gifted communicator and leader by both colleagues and students. Kurt was happiest when he was teaching, mentoring dozens- if not hundreds -of future chemists and thinkers. He was an avid tennis player, actor in the Reader's Theatre, and reveler at the Whistle Stop on Friday afternoons. Kurt is survived by his wife of 37 years, Marilee. He has three daughters, Kristina Vaughan-Towne, Cindi Gilliland and Meredith Kaufman; five grandchildren; as well as scores of friends, old and new. He suffe! red a debilitating stroke in 1980 which took away his ability to speak, read, and write. Despite this overwhelming disability, he continued to inspire all who knew him by his strength of will and character, as well as his incredible sense of humor. Kurt spent the last 20 years living in Florida, on Sanibel Island and in Fort Myers, loved and cared for by Marilee. Kurt will be deeply missed by many. Any gifts can be made in the form of a donation to: the Kurt Kaufman Fellowship at Kalamazoo College, 1200 Academy St., Kalamazoo, Michigan, 49006 or Hospice at Shell Point in Ft. Myers, Florida, 33908. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 7/7/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.