In Memoriam: Claude Lucchesi

Dear Colleagues

I am saddened to inform you of the passing of Claude Lucchesi. A pioneer with tremendous foresight, Claude established the Analytical Services Laboratory at Northwestern University, whose mission was to combine education with centralized laboratory services. This facility, now named the Integrated Molecular Structure Education and Research Center (IMSERC), continues to set the standard for other shared facilities on campus.

Claude’s vision for the technical and managerial education required for superior laboratory management resulted in his co-founding the University Laboratory Managers Organization in 1980, now expanded to the Analytical Laboratory Managers Association (ALMA). ALMA remains strong today with continued growth of the organization. He also created a new program in the School of Continuing Studies, Masters in Regulatory Compliance, and gave presentations on lab management at ACS meetings and around the world.

Claude passed away on Friday, October 26, the day after he and Ruth, his beloved wife, celebrated their 64th wedding anniversary.

True to his passion for science, Claude chose to donate his remains to scientific discovery. As such, no memorial service is scheduled.

We as a department are grateful for what Claude started and aim to continue to build on his vision.