Phi Kappa Sigma

Robert (Bob) C. Ried, Jr. (83) of Friendswood, TX passed away peacefully at home in the early hours of September 11, 2023. Our family appreciates the outstanding help and dedication of Bob’s caregivers, Jackie Jeane, staff of Home Instead, and staff of Traditions Health Hospice along with the prayers and support of family and friends. Bob was born to Robert C. and Ethel U. Ried on March 23, 1940 in San Jose, California. He grew up with his sister Barbara in Pennsylvania and Carle Place, New York. Bob was a gentleman and a scholar, a saltwater fisherman, a soccer coach, a carpenter, an inventor, an artist, a gardener, a father, a brother, a husband, a NASA engineer and a Christian. After graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1961 where he was a member and officer of Phi Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Alpha Mu Chapter, Bob went to work for the NASA Space Task Group on Apollo at Langley Field in Virginia. That same year, he got married and transferred to the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston, TX. In 1967, he received his PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Rice University, where he was a member of Pi Tau Sigma and Sigma Xi. In 1969, he was a Researcher and Professor in Tokyo, Japan at the National Aerospace Laboratory. He wrote and co-authored numerous technical papers and has his name on two patents for space vehicles.

After retiring from NASA in 1995, he transformed a former rice field into a nature preserve, researching trees and native plants that would attract the birds and creatures he loved to observe. Inspired by our family’s stay in Japan, Bob designed and built our second home, most of the furniture, the garden and landscape. For many years he planted and maintained the garden and fishpond, mowed the field, trimmed the trees and tinkered on many projects in his garage shop. A friend called Bob’s trees “the lungs of the neighborhood.”

Our intention is to set up “Ried Park” as a place of respite for people with special needs and their caregivers. We hope to work with the Mary Queen Food Pantry as an extension of Mary’s Garden, with the Creation Ministry, with Special Friends, Youth Volunteers, Scouts and eventually with L’Arche Communities.

Bob is survived by his wife Mary Ellen, two children Robert (Susan) and Sonia (George), four grandchildren, two great-granddaughters, many nieces and nephews. Bob was preceded in death by his parents & sister Barbara Weekes.

A flag ceremony will be held Thursday, October 19, 2023 at 2 pm at NASA JSC, 2101 Nasa Parkway, Houston, TX 77058.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM -11:00 AM at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546, 281-992-7200, followed by a service at Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery, 7801 Gulf Fwy, Dickinson, TX 77539. 281-337-1641.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Mary Queen Food Pantry, or the Ried Park Fund we will be setting up in the near future.

James passed away on May 31, 2023.

Captain “Mac” AK McDonald passed away at his home on Sept 27, 2023. He was 97 years old. Mac was born in Waukegan, Illinois to Carlton K. McDonald and Florence A. MacMillan. In 1931, due to the depression, he moved to Limerick, Maine to live with his mother and her parents. After their house burned down, he enrolled as a boarding student at Hebron Academy where he graduated as valedictorian and then began attending MIT. In 1944 he was appointed to the Naval Academy. After commissioning, he served aboard the USS Leary and the subs Spikefish, Sea Robin, and Barbero. He successfully interviewed with ADM Rickover and later assumed command of the USS Grant, gold crew. At the Pentagon he became special assistant to the Asst Sec of the Navy. He was awarded the Legion of Merit as well as the Meritorious Service Award. After retirement, he spent years researching the causes of the sinking of the USS Scorpion and published his findings. Upon leaving the Navy and Hawaii after 3 tours there, a columnist for the Honolulu Advertiser dedicated a column to the McDonalds. In it he wrote, “Angus has one of the most excellent minds I have ever encountered. He is able to pierce through all of the fluff and nonsense and search out the fundamentals of a problem. But far better than that, he is a gentleman and a man of character. A good husband, a good father, and a good citizen.” Angus left Hawaii for Bellevue, WA and put his MBA from UH to use working in the nuclear power industry for several years. He enjoyed life in the PNW having parties, volunteering, attending cultural events, golfing, and salmon fishing. Angus was married to his much beloved wife, Mavis, who passed away in 2009. She was his anchor throughout his life. He was adored and will be greatly missed by his 4 children, Jot, Sally, Scott, and David, his 7 grandchildren, Kai, Kristin, Lauren, Eliot, Matt, Megan, and Jeremiah, and 5 great grandchildren, Maia, Jack, Fletcher, Philip, and Torren

In loving memory of Al Ehrenfried of Acton, MA , formerly of Concord, MA and Lewiston, ME died peacefully on November 2 at age 99. Al lead a full and robust life filling every day on this earth with the search for knowledge, and with love and empathy for others.

Al was born June 26, 1922 in Lewiston, ME to Mildred and Jacob Ehrenfried. He graduated from Lewiston High School in 1939. To help his family thru the Great Depression, Al started his own business selling candy and magazines to students at Bates College near his home. He built and sailed wooden boats at Bear Pond, and also constructed a working submarine with one of his high school classmates. Al earned his Boy Scout Eagle Scout rank in 1938. He took up music as a piano player, drummer and ultimately played the stand-up bass in the LHS school band. He played in school music groups and began his prolific music career playing with several Big Bands around the State of Maine.


In 1940, Al entered the University of Maine where he studied Engineering Physics. He was a member of Phi Kappa Sigma. Al was the co-director of the Maine Dance Band, a member of the tennis team and the ski team during his stay in Orono. In 1999, Al was elected president of the Maine Class of 1944, where, with his other classmates lead many successful philanthropic programs to benefit the University. Al was also elected to the Francis Crowe Society (UMaine Engineering) in 2007, and the Maine Block M society.


After Maine, Al joined the MIT Radar lab, and soon after, enlisted in the U.S. Army serving as a Technical Sargent in the Signal Corps at Fort Monmouth, NJ continuing his scientific work in early radar research and development.


After discharge from the service, Al returned to MIT earning a Masters Degree in Instrumentation in 1953. While at MIT, Al was elected to the Sigma Xi Society, and worked under Dr Draper at Instrumentation Laboratories where he continued various advanced research projects including the award of several patents for his work.


Al was an outdoorsman who was an Eagle Scout, and registered Maine Guide in his youth. He also loved skiing, hiking, boating, sailing, nature photography, tennis and golf. Al combined his love for golf and entrepreneurship submitting and receiving a patent for a new golf scoring system one week before his death. Al enjoyed and supported all forms of the arts from theater, dance, music, photography and fine arts.


In 1958, Al re-kindled a childhood relationship with Jo-Ann Prince of Lewiston Maine. They were married, and moved to Concord, MA where they had two children, James and Heidi. Al founded technical marketing and innovative product companies, and served on several boards of directors. He remained active in business up to the day of his passing.


Al is survived by his son, James and daughter-in-law Marie Cannon of Boxborough, MA, daughter Heidi of Acton, MA, sister-in-law Evelyn Cyr Ehrenfried of Lewiston, ME, grandsons Shamus and Samuel Ehrenfried of Boxborough, Ma, and granddaughter Alyssa Ehrenfried also of Acton, MA, niece Sally Ehrenfried of Charleston, SC and Bates College, nephews David and Stephen of San Jose CA. Al was predeceased by his wife Jo-ann Prince Ehrenfried of Acton and Lewiston, ME, and brothers David (Lewiston, ME) and Paul (Palo Alto, CA).


Family and friends will gather to honor and remember Al for visiting hours on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, from 4:00 to 7:00pm in the Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap St, Concord, MA. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, November 18 at 11:00am at Trinity Episcopal Church 81 Elm St, Concord, MA with U.S. Army Military Honors to follow. Burial will be private. Concord’s town flag flew at half-staff on Thursday, November 18, 2021 in honor of Al’s service to his country.


Gifts in memory of Al Ehrenfried may be made to:
www.umainefoundation.org/memorial to be added to the Albert D Ehrenfried Class of 1944
Scholarship Fund.

Arrangements under the care of Concord Funeral Home, 74 Belknap Street, Concord, MA 01742.
978-369-3388
www.concordfuneral.com

Obituary from concordfuneral.tributes.com

Douglass S. Lathrop passed away on December 29, 2020. He was born in Washington, DC, on January 31, 1935. He graduated from MIT. During his time there, he was a yachtsman, working on professional sailing vessels, and he was on the college rowing team, which went on to Scotland to become world champions. He also participated in the International Lifeboat Races on National Maritime Day from 1965–1968, each year being an oarsman on the winning crew. He made his living as a maritime consultant, working at Matson and then with his own company, Manalytics. Later in life, he worked for the Blue and Gold Fleet and the Vallejo Ferry.

He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and son. He and his wife, MaryAnn, were avid scuba divers and spent many years traveling the world and socializing with friends and family. He was an active member of the San Rafael Elks Club and a 49er season-ticket holder for over 30 years. MaryAnn and his daughter-in-law, Candie, would like to thank Hospice by the Bay for the loving and compassionate care they showed him in his last year of life

Edward Francis Doyle III, age 83, of Dedham, passed away peacefully at home, on February 15, 2021, surrounded by his family. He was the devoted husband of Mary Freeman Doyle, who recently predeceased him. Edward is survived by his daughters Deborah Doyle (Gary Latshaw) of Santee, California, Jennifer Bahr (Robert) of Great Falls, Virginia, and Jamie Doyle Turner of Dedham, Massachusetts; his grandchildren Mark Turner Jr., Ryan Turner, Callie Turner, and Justin Bahr; and by his sisters Dorothy Prisco of Canton, Massachusetts, Karen Doyle of Dedham, Massachusetts, and MaryEllen Doyle of Dedham, Massachusetts. Edward was predeceased by his parents Edward Francis Doyle Jr. and Dorothea Doyle of Dedham, Massachusetts.

John “Jack” Bradley, 91, Allouez, passed away Thursday, August 30, 2018. Born June 10, 1927 in Ohio, he is the son of the late John and Virginia (Bennett) Bradley. Jack received a degree in engineering from MIT in 1951 and went on to become vice president of engineering at Paper Converting Machine Company. Jack was an accomplished athlete, competing in hockey and tennis into his 80s. While on a business trip to Sweden, he met the love of his life, Eva Andersson, at a local restaurant. Though Jack was unable to dance because he was on crutches and in a leg cast from an Achilles injury, he and Eva danced at their wedding in Green Bay on April 24, 1971. Jack learned Swedish, was able to read Swedish books, and was particularly interested in Swedish history. He was very fond of Eva’s relatives and enjoyed many trips to Sweden with her. They travelled together to numerous other countries. After leaving Paper Converting, he became an expert witness in many liability trials due to his extensive knowledge of the machinery.

Jack is survived by his wife, Eva; two children and their spouses, Jack (Barbara) Bradley and Betsy (Stephen) Markwardt and their mother, Jean Slawny; three grandchildren, Ben, Sam (Amanda) and Anne; two great-grandchildren, Jasiah and Eli; and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by one son, Davis; and one brother, Ben.

Jack will be remembered by his family and friends as a very kind, generous, and thoughtful person and will be dearly missed. His family extends a special thank you to the caring staff of Unity Hospice for their comfort during this difficult time.

Walter J. (John) Kocher Jr., 92, passed away on December 21, 2020, in Scotch Plains New Jersey.

He was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on October 29, 1928, to Walter J. and Gertrude (Kauffmann) Kocher. Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Jean Parsons Kocher, his children, Mark J. Kocher (Catherine MacLeod), Diane J. Falzetta (Michael), and Edward A. Kocher (Sherri Damaré), his four grandchildren, David Kocher (Catherine Hughes), John Falzetta (Brenna Miller), Andrea Tyree (Zachary), and Dale Kocher, and one great granddaughter Quinn Falzetta. He is also survived by two step-grandchildren, Colby Gillette and Victoria Gillette, and pre-deceased by his granddaughter Emily E. Kocher.

Following service with the Army’s 20th Engineer Brigade during the Korean War, he joined Airco Inc. as a service engineer and remained with the company in several areas of responsibility until appointed vice president international of the Welding Products Division in 1972. Following the acquisition of Airco by British Oxygen Corp. in 1979, he was appointed vice president of Teledyne Readco. In 1981, he was recruited by Ashland, Inc. to help launch a global business, providing industrial gases, refrigerants, welding, and other products and services to the marine industry in over 400 ports worldwide. He managed the resulting high-growth business until his retirement in 1993. He was then asked to serve as a consultant for an additional two years. John then volunteered to counsel small business startups and existing businesses with what was then known as The Service Corps of Retired Executives and remained part of the SCORE organization throughout his life.

He was actively engaged with the MIT Alumni Association, serving on several fund raising and reunion campaigns and as a member of the William Barton Rogers Society, as well as the 1861 Circle and later as vice president and webmaster of the class of 1950. He stayed close to his Phi Kappa Sigma pledge class as well and was a member of various MIT clubs in the several locations where the family moved during his career, including The MIT Club of Northern New Jersey. In 2010, he received an MIT award in recognition of his class activities.

In addition to SCORE and his MIT class, he was active with other volunteer groups, including the US Power Squadrons, where he attained a full certificate and was elected squadron educational officer, a position he held for several years, helping to train members and the public in boating skills and safety. He was a life member of The American Welding Society and served in various capacities with sections in Chicago, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and New Jersey.

He grew up with boats and the ocean and sailed with family and friends over many years on numerous ever-larger and more-complex sailboats, from northern Maine to the eastern Caribbean and enjoyed every minute of his time “messing about in boats”, particularly while teaching his children and grandchildren the joys of sailing and ocean cruising. In New Jersey, he was active with the Cedar Mar Yacht Club and, in South Carolina, was a member of the Yacht Club of Hilton Head. He also became a certified scuba diver.

He was a private pilot as well, first soloing in his hometown of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania at age 16, but he switched to a fulltime dedication to sailing in 1979 and never looked back. He was a competitive swimmer and wrestler in his early years. He raised orchids in his greenhouse, plus anything else that would flower in the summer garden, and was a longtime member of The American Orchid Society.

Having grown up in a restored pre-Revolutionary War Pennsylvania farmhouse next to a trout stream, a passion for fishing was in his blood. As were the antiques, including several family pieces, which filled the house. So was history. He was fascinated by genealogy, particularly in tracking the history of his and his wife’s families. Jean’s dates back to the Mayflower. He was a Civil War buff, a member of the Civil War Roundtable, and persuaded Jean to join him in visits to numerous battlefields where family members, including her great grandfather, had, in several cases, served with the Union Army. Add photography, skeet and trap, hunting, camping, and photography, plus rebuilding old houses, and you could say that he managed to keep busy most of the time.

He delighted in sharing his interests with anyone who would listen, but particularly his kids and grandkids. He took great pride in their numerous personal and career achievements, each different, but each very special.

In these unprecedented times, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no service at the present time. At a future date, when it is safe for people to gather, a memorial service will be planned.

December 14, 2020

Paul M. Cook, age 96, passed away peacefully on December 14, 2020, with his wife, Marcia, by his side. Paul is survived by his son, Gavin (Cecilia), his step-children Richard Souter (Mary) and Susan Lengyel, and his grandchildren, Maxwell and Liliha Cook, Elizabeth, Nick, and Luke Souter, Andrew Souter, Allison Groton, Steven Groton, and Chance Lengyel.

Paul was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey on April 25, 1924. He developed an interest in chemistry at a young age, advancing from a basement laboratory in his parents’ home to studying chemical engineering at MIT. In 1943, he put his education on hold to enlist in the army. In the Army Specialized Training Program, he studied mechanical engineering for two terms at Stanford University. As a lieutenant, he joined the famed 10th Mountain Division, serving in combat in Italy toward the end of WW II. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to MIT, completing his degree in 1947.

Paul loved the Bay Area for its beauty and pioneering spirit and was determined to call it home. In 1948, he returned to the Bay Area as the 48th employee at SRI International. He returned to SRI years later as a director and served as chairman from 1993 to 1998.

In 1957, starting from a tiny building in Redwood City, he founded Raychem Corporation to develop commercial applications for an entirely new field: radiation chemistry. With offices in more than 40 countries and thousands of employees, Paul served as CEO of this Fortune 500 company until 1990, inspiring a new generation of innovators through his leadership.

Paul received many awards in his lifetime. In 1988, President Ronald Reagan presented Paul with the National Medal of Technology for creating a worldwide chemically based industry. He also received the Winthop Sears Medal from the Chemical Industry Association, and he was named to the San Francisco Bay Area Business Hall of Fame in 1999.

Paul, in his spirit of giving back, was very active in his alma mater, MIT, serving as chair of the chemical department and becoming a member of the MIT Corporation.

Paul loved new technology, innovators, and doers. After retiring from Raychem, he was involved in many startups and new ventures. At his death, he remained as chairman of his latest venture, Vox Frontera Inc., a voice recognition company.

As involved as he was in technology and business, Paul was generous with his time and the sharing of his deep knowledge and experiences. He was passionate about helping those early in their careers, offering mentoring, insights, and advice. He always had time for his family and friends and was creative and fun in how he expressed his love and support for them, especially in his later years.

Paul was an active contributor to many charitable causes. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Job Train in Menlo Park, the Raychem Entrepreneurs Gallery at the San Mateo County Historical Association, or to the Paul and Marcia Cook Fund for Innovation in Chemistry at MIT.

A celebration of Paul’s extraordinary life is planned and will be announced after COVID restrictions have been lifted, and we can celebrate together safely.

July 5, 2020

On Sunday, July 5, 2020, Charles Edward Cano, the kind and loving son of Eddie and Jan Cano, and brother to Aaron Louis Cano (and his wife Jessica Cano), John “Robert” Cano, and Allena La Rue Cano, and uncle to Anika LaRue Guerra, Ayla LaRue Guerra, Lucas Aaron Guerra, and nephew to David and Wanda Pierce, passed away in McAllen, Texas at the age of 42 of congenital cardiomegaly (congenitally enlarged heart). He is preceded in death by both set of grandparents, Juan and Evelyn Cano and Edmon and Wanda Pierce, uncle Bryan Pierce and aunt Betty Pierce, and uncle Gilbert Cano, and aunt Claire Dacy Cano. Charlie was an extraordinarily bright and talented young man who achieved great academic and professional success that truly impacted the technological world. In addition to his intellect, Charlie was the epitome and embodiment of “unconditional love,” “friendship,” and “empathy,” and he openly shared it with his family, friends, co-workers, and really, everyone.


He loved with all his heart and soul. Charlie attended South Texas ISD Science Academy in Mercedes for his first two years of High School, after which, at the age of 15, he was recruited to attend the selective Texas Academy of Math and Science (TAMS) program at the University of North Texas in Denton. TAMS is an accelerated program where talented high school students finish their last two years of high school and first two years of college simultaneously. Admission to TAMS is based on SAT scores, grades, references, and a capacity to succeed in college-level work in the fields of mathematics, science, and engineering. When Charlie attended TAMS, it was fully funded by the State of Texas, not tuition based. Charlie assumed numerous leadership roles while at TAMS and was selected by both his peers and staff to be the TAMS Student Commencement Speaker for his graduating class in 1996.

Charlie was offered scholarships to several top technological universities; however, he attended the best, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (“M.I.T.”) in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated in two years with a degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1999 at the age of 20. Charlie was a member of M.I.T.’s Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity. Upon graduation from M.I.T., Charlie went straight to work and was part of several startup companies including Bang Networks in 1999 based in California, where he was the Software Architect from 2000-2002. Thereafter, he moved to New York and was the Sr. Architect for F5 Networks from 2003 to 2014. Charlie’s last corporate employment was with AVI Networks as the MTS Software Engineer from 2014-2017 in New York. Charlie was in the process of going into business for himself in Texas at the time of his death. He was highly respected as a pioneer and leader in the technology field, speaking publicly at large conferences around the world and was regularly sought for his opinions by Fortune 500 companies. Charlie once presented his company’s computer security products to the federal government by hacking into their system during his presentation. Charlie leaves a large foot print in the “virtual clouds”; he had the impressive accomplishment of 7 U.S. Patents and the recipient of numerous awards, including Technology Innovator of the Year in 2010. Eddie Cano, Charlie’s Dad, often joked that Charlie would do well because he was a “nerd with people skills”. Charlie had many passions including film/movies, music, art, food and often incorporated those passions with technology. His interest in technology began as a child fascinated with “how did they do that”, aka, special effects, in the making of movies.

Charlie taught himself to play the piano and guitar by ear. Like a horse of many colors, Charlie had many sides and faces to him, constantly changing his appearance and expressing himself with fun and happy hats. He was a soulful and thoughtful writer, blogger, and journaler before it was cool. His writings and work will truly live on. The one thing we know he inherited from his family, was his playful sense of humor, or as we call it, the “sense of the ridiculousness” and others call it “a sick sense of humor”. In addition to family, Charlie is survived by so many friends, too many to list by name, but whom were as close and meaningful to him as any family member. You all know who you are. As much of a shock as it was that Charlie passed, it almost comes as no surprise that he passed because his heart was literally and figuratively too big.


Due to the Covid crisis and the inability for family and friends to travel, the family is opting to have a family only private Celebration of Life service for Charlie Cano, which will be videoed, and uploaded (very fittingly) to “the cloud”; of course. On Tuesday, July 21, 2020 at 7 p.m., in honor of Charlie, play some good music, eat a large bowl of ice cream, and tell someone you love them. Written by: Allena Cano