Chester Thomas "Chet" O'Konski

Chester "Chet" Thomas O'Konski Passed away suddenly on August 2, 2006 at home in El Cerrito, CA. Chester was born on May 12, 1921 on his parents' dairy farm in Kewaunee, WI, son of Thomas and Stella O'Konski. As a student, he excelled in science. He received his degrees in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin, Madison (BA), and Northwestern University (MA, PhD). He and his wife, A. Holly Hollingsworth, moved to California, as Chet began his career in the Chemistry department at the University of California, Berkeley. They raised a family of four children. Chet had a long and distinguished career in physical chemistry at Cal. He enjoyed research in the field of physical chemistry and how it applied to biological compounds, and he mentored and worked with graduate students from around the world. He was the author of numerous publications, and the two-volume text "Molecular Electro-Optics." Honors and awards include a Guggenheim fellowship at Leiden University, Netherlands in 1955, a Miller research professorship in 1960, a Nobel guest professorship at Uppsala University, Sweden, in 1970, and a Kerr Medal in Electro-Optics in 1991, among others. Chet was a member of the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid fisherman, and enjoyed the great out-of-doors, hiking and camping. Chet is survived by his sister, Claire Ciha of Allenton, WI; and by his loving children and grandchildren: sons, Tim of Palo Alto; Mark of Fort Myers, FL; Brian of Washington DC; daughter, Holly O. Austin of Crescent City; grandsons, Jay Austin, Alex, Patrick and Samuel O'Konski; and granddaughter, Christina O'Konski. A Viewing/Celebration will be held from 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. on Friday, August 11 at Chapel of the Mission Bells, 13644 San Pablo Avenue, San Pablo, and a Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Sat, August 12 at Newman Hall, 2700 Dwight Way, Berkeley, followed by a private Burial at St. Joseph Cemetery, San Pablo. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in memory of Professor Chester T. O'Konski, to the Dept. of Chemistry, University of California, 420 Latimer Hall, Berkeley, CA 94720.