Obituaries

Adrian Luchini, the Raymond E. Maritz Professor Emeritus of Architecture at the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, died Feb. 12 while visiting his native Argentina. He was 71.

Ralph S. Quatrano, an internationally renowned plant scientist, former dean of the Washington University in St. Louis School of Engineering & Applied Science and former chair of the Department of Biology in Arts & Sciences, died Feb. 24, 2026, in St. Louis. He was 84.

Donald Royse, a professor emeritus of architecture in the Sam Fox School of Design & Visual Arts, died Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026, surrounded by family at his home (which he designed) overlooking Lake Washington in Seattle. He was 93.

Kathleen Finneran, senior writer-in-residence in the Department of English in Arts & Sciences, and author of the celebrated memoir “The Tender Land: A Family Love Story” (2000), died Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. She was 68.

Senior Ella Elizabeth Johnson of Belmont, Mass., died Jan. 14 after a difficult struggle with mental health challenges. Johnson, 21, was studying psychological and brain sciences and Spanish in Arts & Sciences.

Donald “Don” E. Clayton, a former associate vice chancellor of Medical Public Affairs at WashU Medicine, died Jan. 8 after a respiratory illness. He was 71.

Steven L. Teitelbaum, MD, a nationally recognized leader in bone biology research at WashU Medicine, died Dec. 15 in St. Louis. He was 87.

Brian A. Van Tine, MD, PhD, a nationally recognized leader in sarcoma research at WashU Medicine, died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at Barnes-Jewish Hospital following an acute illness. He was 53.

Kenneth (Ken) Franklin Kelton, the Arthur Holly Compton Professor Emeritus of Physics at Washington University in St. Louis, has died following complications from lymphoma treatments. He was 71.

J. Claude Evans, a professor emeritus of philosophy in Arts & Sciences at Washington University in St. Louis, died in St. Louis July 26. He was 79.