obituaries

René Millon, a professor emeritus of anthropology at Rochester whose life’s work was dedicated to mapping and excavating a historic pre-Columbian site in Mexico is being remembered as a pioneer who influenced the study of ancient cultures and societies. He died in February at age 94.

Okubo, a Rochester alumnus and faculty member since 1964, was internationally known for his groundbreaking investigations into the patterns and decay rates of fundamental particles and symmetries of the universe.

Esther M. Conwell, research professor of chemistry, pioneer in the field of semiconductor research, and recipient of the National Medal of Science, died in a motor vehicle accident Sunday at the age of 92.

Robert Lamb Sproull, internationally known physicist, professor and the seventh president of the University of Rochester, died Oct. 9 at the age of 96. Sproull joined the University as provost in 1968 and was president from 1970 to 1984.

Knill, who came to the University as an associate professor in 1999, was a leading scientist in the study of human perception. He also served as the associate director of the Center for Visual Science since 2001. Most of his work, which included over 60 research and review articles, focused on visual perception and how humans use vision to guide physical actions.

Although Givens "officially" retired in 1981 at the mandatory age of 65 (at that time a federal law), he continued to teach for another 22 years, and was primarily responsible for the senior laboratory course.