University of California Berkeley - Blue and Gold Yearbook (Berkeley, CA)

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His was a character which was essentially strong and nothing showed this more than the calmness of spirit which nothing seemed able to disturb. In controversy this was peculiarly so. He was neither dogmatic or indif- ferent. He weighed the evidence, hence his word had weight. He was above animosity, nor could any cherish it toward him. His kindly sympathy, his cffacement of self, endeared him to student and colleague alike. He offered his life as a sacrifice to education, which is life. Hence the loss of these services can not be replaced. Hut his death will not cause a cessation of his influence. His work and he are an imperishable part of the University for which he labored so hard to upbuild, and his memory will ever remain an incentive to devoted endeavor. Willard Bradley Rising I n the death of Professor Rising, the University has been called upon to face for the second time in the space of less than a semester, the shock of losing another of its oldest and most valued Faculty members. Scarcely had the memorial services for the late Professor Stringham been held, when the college was grieved to learn that Professor Rising, the oldest member of its Faculty, had departed this life. In his branch of science. Chemistry. he had attained in the space of a long and honorable career, enviable distinction. Xot only in this institution was he justly honored for his research work and his contributions to science, but his membership in Acade- mies of Science all over the learned civilized world attest to the universality of his fame. Professor Rising was born in Mecklen- burg, Xew York, in 1839. He attended Hamilton College, from which he graduated in 1864, and later took up graduate work in the University of Michigan. Here he de- voted the greater part of his time to tin- study of Chemistry, specializing on Thermo- chemistry, in which he became world re- nowned. Receiving his degree of AI.E. in 1867, Professor Rising came West, and was appointed to the position of instructor in Xatural Science in our Universitv.

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space of dimensions. a judgment which only confirms that of his students and colleagues of the department. With such an equipment, indeed the best of any man at that time, was Professor Stringham called to the professorship of mathematics in this University in 1882. He found but a narrow field for his talents and mathe- matics occupying a position that was but little more than a name. Xo opportunities for original research whatever existed. But with far-seeing wisdom he beheld the possibilities of the Western University. Patiently and Ititelv he set to work, not only to develop his own department, but to aid in shaping the larger destinies of the college itself. His possession of the two most essential requisites needed for such work, constructive and admin istrative powers, made his connection with the University a unique bit of d fortune. It is here that we learn of Professor Stringham ' s real services to the University of California. From the start to the very day of his death, he was the leader in every movement in the development of this institution, daily in the creation of opportunities for research work. As early as 1887. in company with President Holden and Professor i afterwards President) Kellogg, he proposed the establishment of a college of pure science, very largely on the lines of the present College of Natural Science. The scheme of this committee involved also the principle of the group elective, resulting in the establishment, six years later, of the Colleges -al Sciences and of Natural Science. By this time Professor String- ham was ready for the next step the merging of the three Colleges of Let- ters. Social Sciences, and Natural Science, but although he died before this was accomplished, its attainment seems at hand, so similar have the curricula :he three colleges become. Professor Haskell. one of his colleagues and closest friends, paid the following tribute to his unselfishness : While it is true that all this active work of administration interfered seriously with his special work in mathematics, and must, therefore, have involved a heroic sacrifice of his splendid talents as an investigator, he was always able to put himself philosophically aside and devote the best that was in him to whatever work he might be called upon to perform. Care- less of the fame that might have easily been his. he gave himself freely and generously to the work of co-operation with others in the task of building this University a task which, like virtue in general, is its own reward ; for while universities live and become renowned, the names of the men who have built them are written in water. Professor Stringham had a personality not easily susceptible of analysis. Perhaps his most perceptible, we had almost said striking, characteristic, was that of unconscious simplicity. His bearing was marked by that unobstrusive- ness. that was so clearly associated with Lincoln.

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Feeling the desire for further study, he left, two years later, for Germany and entered the University of Heidelberg, where he received the degree of Ph.D. He returned to the University of California as Professor of Chemistry in 1871. and held the position continuously until his death. In 1909 the Board of Regents voted him the honor of Professor Emeritus in recognition of his important services to the University and his achievements in science. Professor Rising was a man of singular talents and ability. His mind seemed uniquely adapted toward scientific investigation and the originality that characterized his mental labors was second only in importance to their results. To his name was attached a long list of honors. His work received recognition in scientific circles in every quarter of the globe, and there was- scarcely a journal of scientific note that he had not on one or more occasions contributed articles touching on his specialty, Thermo-Chemistry. Twice he was appointed on juries of award, first at the World ' s Columbian Exposition, in 1893. and again at the Paris Exposition, in 1900. Besides, he was honored for his services to science by being made a member of several institutions of international importance devoted to Chemistry in the great nations of the world : the Berlin Chemical Society, the American Chemical Society, the Paris Chemical Society, the Society of Chemical Industry of London, and the Washington Academv of Sciences, being the most noted. Professor Rising was a man who fastened the charm of his personality upon every one who was fortunate enough to come in close contact with him. There was the warmth of human fellowship in the grasp of his hand, a kindly geniality in his humor, and a fatherly sympathy for the ideas of the younger generation around him. He was modest to a fault, and retiring, exhibiting a shy reserve that seldom allowed him to reveal the real depths of his genius. He divided his time between his family and his beloved science, his enthusiasm for the latter proving a real source of inspiration to his students. He ranked high in his profession and his loss to the University will leave an unfilled want. To him is mainly due the progress and the position that the College of Chemistry has made in this University. It seems hard that the limitations of human life should deprive us of the services of such a scholar as Professor Rising, when those services are in their most valued form, but the very fact that he attained a position of such eminence in learning makes it evident that his vitality would suffer somewhat. History speaks of but few great scholars who have lived for more than three- score years. But Professor Rising was one of the exceptions, and he passed away at the ripe old age of seventy-one years. The Faculty and the student body pay respectful tribute to the memory of its oldest teacher, while the Blue and Gold v extends its deepest sympathy to his bereaved family. 29