Message from the Chair
It is with a heavy heart that I write my final Chair’s Message for CHAL. As many of you know, CHAL co-founder and Past Chair Jack Riley passed away at his home in California on April 5, 2008, at the age of 81.
In no way can I fully describe Jack’s wonderful life, impressive achievements and tremendous contributions to CHAL in my brief Chair’s Message, and I encourage everyone to read the poignant article about Jack written by CHAL co-founder and Past Chair Howard Peters, one of Jack’s closest friends. I would like, however, to say a few brief words about Jack and share some memories of Jack’s service to CHAL.
Jack was an active member of ACS for over 50 years, dutifully serving as Chair of the Santa Clara Valley Local Section, as well as the founder and editor of the Santa Clara Valley Local Section newsletter. Because the Santa Clara Valley Local Section includes a significant number of chemical patent attorneys as members, Jack recognized the potential value of creating an ACS Division dedicated to chemistry and the law. Although Jack was not a lawyer and had no formal legal training, his vision, along with the vision of fellow Santa Clara Valley Section members Hugh Dubb, Howard Peters and Shirley Radding, led to the formation of CHAL.
Although I have many fond memories of Jack, two especially come to mind. During a recent and particularly long Sunday evening CHAL Executive Committee meeting, none of the attorneys in the room — myself included — could reach a consensus on the international distribution of our newsletter by mail. After almost a half hour of relatively unproductive discussion, someone asked whether anyone knew how many CHAL newsletters were mailed to addresses outside the United States. Jack, who understandably had fallen asleep during the discussion, immediately awoke and correctly answered “79.” We then reached agreement and promptly turned to another area of discussion, thereby giving Jack the opportunity for some more well-deserved sleep.
Significantly more special, however, was CHAL’s celebration of Jack’s 80th birthday at the Spring 2007 National Meeting in Chicago. Although Jack had been suffering from advanced multiple sclerosis for some time, he continued to travel across the country and attend every National Meeting through Fall 2007. During CHAL’s Monday evening reception at the Chicago Meeting, we surprised Jack with an 80th birthday party, complete with cake and a happy birthday song. It really made Jack’s day, and we were genuinely grateful for the opportunity to celebrate a special moment with such a fine gentleman, who played a central role in CHAL’s success throughout our 25 years as an ACS Division. Directly or indirectly, Jack touched the lives of each and every member of CHAL in a positive way. Thank you Jack, and God bless you!
Jack has requested that donations be sent in his name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Silicon Valley Office, 2589 Scott Boulevard, Santa Clara, CA 95050.
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