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Gilbert P Haight

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Princeton University Stanford University

Gilbert Haight Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers from Apr. 30 to May 1, 2015.

1922 - 2015
Dr. Gilbert Pierce Haight, Jr., renowned chemistry professor, dies at 92
1922-2015

Dr. Gilbert P. Haight, Jr., best known for his pioneering work in chemical education, died on Monday, April 27 of natural causes.

Known to family and friends as "Gil," Dr. Haight spent his professional life as a professor of chemistry, exploring and perfecting the delivery of scientific education to college students in a career that spanned the globe.

Born in Seattle on June 8, 1922, Haight spent his early years on Bainbridge Island. The grandson of island pioneer Warren Gazzam, young Gil grew up in his grandfather's house, "Alabama," on the west side of Bainbridge Island. Gazzam. Gil's father, Gilbert P. Haight, Sr., was an attorney; his mother, Ruth Gazzam Haight, was a Christian Science practitioner.

Gil graduated from Bainbridge High School in 1939, attended Stanford University as an undergraduate, then Princeton University where he received his PhD. in chemistry in 1946. Haight worked on the Manhattan Project during the war as part of his PhD research. His avowed interest in chemistry originated in order to avoid becoming a teacher, which he ironically dedicated his life to after discovering a knack for tutoring his fellow college students.

His teaching and research assignments took him to Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Swarthmore, College Station, Cophenhagen, San Diego, Canberra, Australia, and Kaula Lumpur, Maylasia.

Following retirement, Gil and Shirley returned to Bainbridge Island, Washington until their move to Seattle in 2000.

Always dedicated to teaching chemistry to freshman students, Haight ultimately pioneered the blending of multimedia and television into lectures and labs. He also mixed humor and explosive demonstrations as part of his famous Christmas lectures.

Haight is survived by his brother Warren Haight of Hawaii, his sister Mary Pease of Seattle, his wife Shirley and their children: Jennifer of Kauai, Hawaii, Loisanne "Sandy" of Seattle, Washington, Charles "Chad" Haight of Bainbridge Island, Washington, and Stephanie Haight-Kuntze of Berlin, Germany. He was preceded in death by two children, Charlene "Sherry" Haight and Christopher Haight. His grand children include Zoey Haight Diaz, Shayla Miller-Love, Adrien Miller, Christopher Kuntze, Cyra Haight, Keagan Haight, and Dylan Haight. In addition Dr. Haight had three great grandchildren.

Haight was both scientist and a very funny man, mixing humor into his teachings and daily life. A master of puns, he was happiest when eliciting an extended groan from those in his company. When he wasn't teaching, he could most often be found on the tennis court where his unorthodox game drove his opponents crazy.

He will be fondly remembered.

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Recent Activity

May 5, 2023

Mark Nowak posted to the memorial.

October 22, 2015

Paul Robinson posted to the memorial.

August 25, 2015

Andy Jorgensen posted to the memorial.

6 Entries

Mark Nowak

May 5, 2023

I came across Professor Haight's obituary today. I was an engineering student at UIUC in the 80s and I remember his chemistry Christmas lecture. I saw it at 2:00 PM on December 6, 1984. My notes say: "amusing," He was an unforgettable part of my life in college and for that I will always be grateful. My deepest condolences to his family.

Paul Robinson

October 22, 2015

I loved working with Gil at the University of Illinois. He was a great scientist, good friend, and remarkable human being.

Andy Jorgensen

August 25, 2015

Gil was my mentor as I started my teaching career at University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 1976. He was tremendously supportive to me and the other newly graduated chemistry faculty members. He inspired us, he pushed us and he and Shirley welcomed us. Being a professor was never in my plan, but when Gil invited me to try it, there was not looking back - he changed my life. I have been teaching college chemistry all the years since - including yesterday when I did a chemistry demonstration with a hydrogen balloon that Gil would have recognized. Thanks for prompting these memories.

Markus Kuntze

August 10, 2015

After Stephanie Haight and I met in 1983 and decided that we would stay together and get married, we went to visit the family and join them after Stephanie's brother had passed. I had really mixed feelings about meeting my future inlaws during such a difficult time of sadness and grief. When we got there I very quickly realized that I would become a member of a family just like mine: warm hearted, close to each other and despite the sad time quite funny! Gil had this special wit and he and Shirley together were just a wonderful loving team! We spent time with them not only in Seattle quite often but also took a wonderful trip through parts of Italy together to visit Rome and Tuscany and truly enjoyed travelling together (even though Gil remarked that "the only way to experience a country is to live there"). I also remember that we played tennis on Kauai when Gil was 83 and he commented that it scared him that he would have to play for another 20 years... he assumed that he would have reached the 100 following his mothers example. Sadly he did not but he had such a full life, seeing so many places, making so many friends all over the world, that he certainly did not miss anything! I will always remember him as a great husband for Shirley, a great father for Stephanie, Jennifer, Sand and Chad, a great grandfather and for me as a wonderful father in law. Rest in peace and be sure you will be remembered forever!

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Charles Huber

August 6, 2015

I'm sorry that I only just discoverd Prof. Haight's obituary. He was my undergraduate research advisor and mentor at UIUC from 1973-1976. He was a brilliant, warm generous man of great humor. Farewell, Gil!

Stephanie L. Haight-Kuntze

May 3, 2015

My Dad, Prof. Dr. Gilbert Pierce Haight, Jr. passed last Monday, April 27. He had a passion for teaching chemistry, for scholarship, for playing tennis, music, cards, with puzzles and telling puns. He had a love of family, juggling 6 kids with his career and living up to the noble standards of his constant companion of nearly 70 years, my Mom. He had a determination in spirit and in practice of eternal youth allowing us never really wanting to grow up, but at the same time embracing the responsibilities of adulthood. We will always remember his humor and the laughter he brought to everyone he encountered, be it one person or an audience in a full auditorium! We will be celebrating Mom's 93rd birthday on Tuesday, May 5th and his nearly 93 years of life and the joy he brought us. His memory will bring smiles to our faces and whenever we look up to the star lit skies, we will think of that special twinkle in his eyes! I love you Dad! Ich liebe Dich!
Stephanie L. Haight-Kuntze
Berlin, Germany

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