George E. Pake, Ph.D., recipient of the National Medal of Science, professor of physics, University provost from 1962-1970, and emeritus trustee, died of heart failure Thursday, March 4, 2004, in Tucson, Ariz. He was 79.
George Pake
“George Pake was not only a major influence on Washington University’s academic strengths, he was also a national leader in science and research. His role in setting the future course of the University during the 1960’s had a great deal to do with the success we enjoy today,” Washington University chancellor Mark S. Wrighton said.
Pake, an Ohio native, began his education as a mechanical engineering student at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1942; he eventually changed his major to physics and earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics from there in 1945. He went on to Harvard University where he earned his Ph.D. in physics in 1948.
Pake became an assistant professor of physics at Washington University directly after graduating from Harvard in 1948, and in his first year at Washington 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 (MRI) and gives doctors images of physiological systems without invading body tissues with radiation.
Pake’s paper literally became a classic; between 1961 and 1981 alone it was cited 435 times in other scientists’ work, earning his first professional publication a “Citation Classic” award, a rare and prestigious honor.
Pake was chair of the Washington University physics department from 1952-56. After a six-year tenure 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 Washington University into an internationally known science and medical teaching and research institution.
In 1995, Washington University granted him an honorary doctor of science degree for his contributions to the University and to the world of science.
“George Pake was one of the greats of Washington University and of the United States,” said Chancellor Emeritus William H. Danforth. “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. 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.” Danforth added.
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 Corporation, Palo Alto, Calif. Drawing on his rare talents as a manager and scientist, Pake developed the basic PARC research laboratory from scratch into a world-famous institution.
Since 1970, PARC research endeavors have spawned products and developments amounting to more than $75 billion in revenues. These include such universally known products 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, and the technology involving local area networks, including Ethernet.
These developments have built not only a major new industry, but have changed the global economy: Massive streams of information and intelligence today can travel with the speed of light anywhere in the world. Major companies have emerged to use the fruits of PARC research. They include Adobe, Aldus, Apple, Microsoft, Novelle, and 3-Com. Together with the entire computer industry, these companies owe much of their success to Pake’s vision and ability to bring top-notch researchers together and give them a highly creative and productive environment.
In 1983, the American Physical Society recognized his expertise as a research manager with the creation of the George E. Pake Prize. Each year the award is made to a physicist combining research accomplishments with leadership in the management of research and development in industry.
In 1986, Pake retired as Xerox group vice president to become Director of the Institute for Research on Learning in Palo Alto. In 1991 he was named Director Emeritus of the Institute. He has published three books and dozens of research articles and papers.
In 1987, he capped his oft-honored career when he received the National Medal of Science, the nation’s highest science honor, from President Ronald Reagan for his commitment to creative excellence in support of institutional purpose.
He is survived by his wife, Marjorie Pake of Tucson, Ariz., sons Warren Pake of Tucson, Stephen Pake of Los Angeles and Bruce Pake of St. Louis, daughter Catherine Pake of Portland, Ore., 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 Washington University will be announced at a later date.