With profound sadness, the Hamilton College Community mourns the loss of two influential figures in the science community. Eugene Domack, Inaugural J. W. Johnson Family Professor of Environmental Studies Emeritus, passed away on Nov. 20, 2017, at the age of 61. Groundbreaking Chemist, and Science Center dedicatee, Edward C. Taylor ’46 passed away on Nov. 22, 2017, at the age of 94.
On Nov. 21, Interim Dean of Faculty Margaret Gentry announced the death of Eugene Domack.
After completing his undergraduate education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Eugene Domack received a master’s degree and Ph.D. from Rice University. In 1984, he began his career as a professor at University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He then joined the Geoscience Department at Hamilton in 1985, and following his retirement from Hamilton in 2013, joined the College of Marine Science at the University of South Florida. In addition to teaching, Domack dedicated his professional career to studying the geologic record of climate change.
While his research brought him all over the country and the world, Domack took a special interest in Antarctic research. He returned to the Antarctic region nearly every austral summer to conduct research with colleagues and students throughout his career. Amongst the numerous awards and grants that he received over the years for his exemplary work, Domack was named a 2011 Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and a 2012 Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Domack is survived by his wife Judi and daughter Madison, his mother Vivian Domack, his sister Deborah Hill, his brother Randy Domack, sister Julie Borkowicz, and several nieces and nephews.
President David Wippman announced the passing of Edward C. Taylor in an all-campus email on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 29.
Edward Taylor arrived on the Hill in 1942 with a keen interest in English and writing. The College’s distribution requirements, however, mandated that Taylor take a science class. His decision, which came down to a coin toss between Chemistry and Biology, sparked a new academic and lifelong passion.
By 1944, Taylor had completed every Chemistry class that Hamilton had to offer and opted to transfer to Cornell University for the completion his undergraduate degree in Chemistry on the advice of Professor Asa McKinney, a Cornell graduate himself. Taylor went on to receive his doctorate from Cornell as well. He then joined the teaching faculty in the Chemistry department at Princeton University.
In 1985, Taylor collaborated with Eli Lilly to create cancer treatments using folate-dependent enzymes in the cellular biosynthesis of DNA. By 1987, they developed Alimta, a drug that treats malignant pleural mesothelioma and both first-line and second-line lung cancer.
Altima was a groundbreaking success. By its fifth year on the market, it became the most successful new drug, in terms of sales, in pharmaceutical history. It also earned Taylor a Heroes in Chemistry award from the American Chemical Society in 2006.
In 2011, The SunUp foundation, directed by Edward Taylor and his wife, Virginia, donated $16 million to the College, making it the largest gift in Hamilton’s history. Their gift has since been used as a scholarship endowment. To thank the Taylors for their incredible generosity, the College dedicated the then newly-completed science center to them on Sept. 23, 2011.
The Spectator
extends our deepest sympathies to the families and loved ones of Eugene Domack and Edward C. Taylor, and we encourage members of our community to support one another through this difficult time.
