George Stanley Kriz

1939 - 2025

George Stanley Kriz Jr.

October 20, 1939 - July 8, 2025

Bellingham, Washington - With great sorrow and immense love we report the passing of Dr. George S Kriz, Jr., longtime resident of Bellingham and revered professor of chemistry at Western Washington University, on July 8 at the age of 85. A native of Santa Cruz, CA, George was educated in Santa Cruz public schools, received his BS in chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and his Ph.D. in chemistry from Indiana University. Following postdoctoral studies at the Ohio State University and in France at the University of Montpellier, George joined the faculty at Western, where he remained his entire career. He and his colleagues Drs Pavia and Lampman were the authors of several texts on laboratory technique in organic chemistry and on spectroscopy, which were translated into many languages and adopted widely as part of organic chemistry curricula.

He was an active member of the Division of Chemical Education of the American Chemical Society and received their Distinguished Service Award in 2010. George was a popular and devoted teacher, for which he was awarded the Peter J. Elich Excellence in Teaching award in 2000. Following his retirement from teaching, George continued working on a part-time basis as Director of Advising for Pre-Healthcare Professions. As with all his academic endeavors he approached this role with enthusiasm, devotion and great good humor.

George had many interests. He loved classical music, especially opera, and was a member of the Whatcom Chorale for many years. He was on the Board of Directors for the Bellingham Theatre Guild. He loved the mountain scenery and enjoyed nothing more than a drive up the Mt. Baker Highway, with a stop to see if the eagles were nesting, and to stop for a good meal!

George was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn and son Brian. He is survived by his former wife Dian, their son Kenneth Kriz and his wife Wendy, daughter Michelle Kriz, longtime companion Phyllis Rice, sister Barbara Kriz and her husband Steve Grayson, stepson Erik Leininger and his wife Paula, stepdaughter Sonya Dyer and her husband Eric, granddaughters Rubi and Mia Kriz, step grandsons Emmett and Matthew, step granddaughters Claire, Emily and Megan, niece Tiara Grayson and her husband Ian McDowell, and great-nephews Graeme and Enzo McDowell. Funeral services will be private, but a celebration of life is planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation be considered to the Pavia-Lampman-Kriz Chemistry Endowment, (https://alumniq.wwu.edu/giving/make-a-gift search on Kriz) or Bellingham Theatre Guild (https://apps.arts-people.com/index.php?donation+btg) or charity of their choice. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all of George's caregivers for their support and loving care.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Gillies Funeral Home and Cremation Services.