George E. Pake, Ph.D., recipient of the National Medal of Science, professor of physics in Arts & Sciences, provost from 1962-1970 and emeritus trustee, died of heart failure Thursday, March 4, 2004, in Tucson, Ariz. He was 79.
“George Pake was not only a major influence on Washington University’s academic strengths, he was also a national leader in science and research,” Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said. “His role in setting the future course of the University during the 1960s had a great deal to do with the success we enjoy today.”
Pake, an Ohio native, earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1945. He earned a doctorate from Harvard University in 1948.
Pake became an assistant professor of physics at Washington University directly after graduating from Harvard, and in his first year here he published an article on a new technique called nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Over the years, the article became integral to the comprehension of the complicated, burgeoning technique that helps scientists determine the structure of molecules and the functions of biological systems.
NMR today is used extensively in chemistry and in medicine, where it is called magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, and gives doctors images of physiological systems without invading body tissues with radiation.
Between 1961 and 1981, Pake’s paper was cited 435 times in other scientists’ work, earning his first professional publication a “Citation Classic” award, a rare and prestigious honor.
Pake chaired the physics department from 1952-56. After a six-year stint as professor of physics (1956-1962) at Stanford University, Pake returned to Washington University as provost and physics professor.
As provost and eventually executive vice chancellor, he played a key role in building the University into an internationally known science and medical-teaching and research institution.
In 1995, the University granted him an honorary doctor of science degree.
“George Pake was one of the greats of Washington University and of the United States,” said William H. Danforth, chancellor emeritus and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees. “He was one of the most talented and selfless people I have known. He was my friend, my partner in many endeavors and my inspiration.
“George left an indelible mark on Washington University and its people. His vision for what WUSTL could accomplish scientifically inspired many advances. He brought to St. Louis a very talented group of computer scientists from MIT, including Wesley Clark and Charles Molnar, who developed relatively small (for that era), dedicated computers that led to many advances in biomedical computing and personal computers.
“He backed and supported Dean James McKelvey in the modernization of the School of Engineering,” Danforth continued. “He worked with Chancellor Tom Eliot to win a transforming grant from the Ford Foundation. He put together proposals for the National Science Foundation that brought major support for new facilities and programs for science and engineering.
“Then he worked on the Health Science Advancement Award from the National Institutes of Health that helped support major advances in biology and medicine. During the late 1960s, he kept academic goals front and center during an era of campus unrest. Faculty and administrators admired and trusted George Pake; we relied on his good sense and his integrity.
“Also, he was important in the recruitment of Peter Raven, director of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Engelmann Professor of Botany, to St. Louis. He served for years on the board of the Danforth Foundation. He served also on the board of the University of Rochester. He was amazing.”
Pake was active in a number of governmental committees in Washington, D.C., chief among them the President’s Science Advisory Committee during the Johnson and Nixon administrations.
In 1970, Pake made the difficult choice of leaving Washington University for the challenging task of creating the Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) of the Xerox Corp. in Palo Alto, Calif. He developed the PARC laboratory from scratch into a world-famous institution.
Since 1970, PARC research endeavors have spawned products and developments such as the first personal computer, the laser printer, the computer software underlying “Windows,” the electronic mail (E-mail) system, icons and mice used with all personal computers.
In 1983, the American Physical Society recognized him with the creation of the George E. Pake Prize.
In 1987, he capped his oft-honored career when he received the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest science honor.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Pake; sons, Warren Pake, Stephen Pake and Bruce Pake; daughter, Catherine Pake; and two grandchildren.
Memorial contributions should be so identified and mailed to Campus Box 1082, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130. Gifts will provide scholarship assistance to students in the College of Arts & Sciences. Checks should be made out to “Washington University.”
A memorial service at the University will be announced at a later date.
The Palo Alto Research Center has posted an online memorial at parc.com/pake.