Fresno State mourns the loss of Dr. Stephen Rodemeyer, professor emeritus of chemistry and director emeritus of the Smittcamp Family Honors College, who died on Oct. 16.

Rodemeyer (1940-2019) joined Fresno State in 1967 after earning his Ph.D. in organic chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley. He served at Fresno State for 42 years where he taught organic chemistry and was the inaugural recipient of the Provost Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1994.

In addition to teaching, Rodemeyer chaired the Department of Chemistry (1971-77) and was acting dean of the School of Natural Sciences (1980-81). He was the inaugural director of the honors college (1999-2009). Rodemeyer also authored many research publications.

As a member of the community, he held various board and committee positions. Rodemeyer served in the American Chemical Society for over 50 years. He was one of the founders of the San Joaquin Valley section of the American Chemical Society and was elected ACS Fellow in 2010 for his service to the society.

Rodemeyer’s generosity to the College of Science and Mathematics and the University was immense. Dedicated to enriching the lives of college students, Rodemeyer and his wife, Risa, endowed the Stephen and Risa Rodemeyer Organic Chemistry Scholarship in 2012. Then, in honor of his late wife, Steve Rodemeyer endowed the Risa Rodemeyer Global Culture Scholarship for the Smittcamp honors scholars in 2017.

“His influence will further be remembered by the chemistry and biochemistry students he and his wife, Risa, supported through the Stephen and Risa Rodemeyer Organic Chemistry Scholarship and to date awarded to 12 students,” said Joy Goto, chair of the Department of Chemistry. “He was truly a warm and genuine person that always reflected kindness, with a great sense of humor and a love of life. I will remember him as one of the finest human beings I have met in academia and I feel privileged to have known Steve as a mentor and friend.”

Recently, Rodemeyer led an ambitious effort to fundraise for lab renovations in the college.

“It was an honor and a privilege to know Steve. He was an extraordinary teacher, scientist, mentor and builder. His continuous and unyielding support for our college and Fresno State was amazing," said Christopher Meyer, dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “Leading by example, Steve funded a substantial Day of Giving challenge match for enhancing our lab spaces. I appreciate, more than words can express, his optimism, support and encouragement. He will be profoundly missed.”

Rodemeyer's legacy will live on in the legions of the college graduates and the countless individuals, families and communities they serve.

On Oct. 24, the Fresno City Council adjourned its meeting in memory of Rodemeyer. He was last honored by the city on May 7, 2009 when former Mayor Ashley Swearengin proclaimed the day as “Dr. Stephan A. Rodemeyer Day” in honor of his retirement that month and his 42 years of service to Fresno State.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have overlapped with Steve in the chemistry department when I first came to Fresno State,” said Dr. Alam Hasson, associate dean of the College of Science and Mathematics. “He was so accomplished, so exceptional in everything that he did and he made it all look effortless. He went out of his way to help me to be successful as a new faculty member — inviting me to observe his classes and getting me involved with his professional network."

"But the most valuable lessons that I learned from Steve were simply from seeing how he interacted with others in the department and across campus. Despite all that he achieved, he was humble, down-to-earth and approachable. He handled every situation with grace and humor, and saw value in the opinions and contributions of all of his colleagues,” Hasson said.

Dr. Saeed Attar, director of the honors college and professor of chemistry called Rodemeyer "a dear friend, mentor and colleague for over 20 years.”

“For the entire Fresno State community, he was a supporter and benefactor until the very end of his life. The basic, functional structure of SFHC is mostly due to Steve’s efforts during the 10 years that he served as the inaugural director,” Attar said. “He touched, in a very special and positive way, the collective lives of all who knew him. He always made an effort to reach out to people, regardless of their age, rank or creed. He was a man of his words, meant what he said and backed up his words with actions. On Oct. 16, some of us lost a dear friend, all of us lost a valuable colleague and the world lost one of its kindest and most genuine humans I have ever known.”

Rodemeyer is survived by his daughters, Dr. Lanei Rodemeyer and Dr. Adine Rodemeyer, and his grandchildren, Gwen, Andrew, Maggie, Ivy and Kilian. In his honor, a “Celebration of Steve’s Life” gathering will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 17, at the University Dining Hall.

A memorial mass and reception are planned at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 11, 2020, at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center (1572 E. Barstow Ave.), directly across from Bulldog Stadium.