Message on the passing of Stephen L. Kaattari
UPDATE: The following message was sent to the campus community Nov. 25, 2014 - Ed.
Friends and colleagues,
A memorial and celebration of life for Dr. Steve Kaattari will be held on Monday, December 8, 2014 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the William & Mary Alumni House. (The memorial will be held as an “open house,” so feel free to attend when you are able.) Parking will be available at One Tribe Place (formerly the Hospitality House), which is across Richmond Road from the Alumni House. Those with ADA placards can park in a lot immediately adjacent to the Alumni House. Attached is a map of the Alumni House and adjacent parking.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested that donations be made to the Williamsburg Heritage Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity or the American Heart Association.
Kimberly Reece
Chair, Aquatic Health Sciences
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Provost Michael R. Halleran sent the following message to the campus community Nov. 14, 2014 - Ed.
Dear Colleagues,
It is with deep sadness that I write to share the news that Stephen L. Kaattari, CSX Professor of Marine Science, Emeritus, passed away on November 11, 2014. Prof. Kaattari joined the W&M as a VIMS faculty in 1993 and just recently retired in January 2014. He served as Chair of the Department of Environmental and Aquatic Animal Health (currently Aquatic Health Sciences) from 2002 to 2004. Prior to joining VIMS, he was a Professor of Microbiology at Oregon State University, where he served on the faculty for ten years.
Prof. Kaattari was a highly respected and internationally recognized researcher, as well as an extraordinary teacher and mentor. His research program melded basic research in immunology with applied end goals to provide innovative and practical new tools for the scientific community and the public, and has provided new understanding of basic immune functions and has produced vaccines for use in aquaculture. His more recent work included development of real-time sensor platforms that are now being used to analyze pollutants in Chesapeake Bay. Products from his research have resulted in new patents in the United States and Britain and have led to new areas of research that continue today. Prof. Kaattari advised 20 graduate students, 11 postdoctoral trainees, numerous undergraduates and served on over 75 graduate student committees.
During his tenure at VIMS, Prof. Kaattari secured more than $8 million in competitive extramural grants and contracts to support his research program. He authored or co-authored more than 90 technical articles and books, and reviewed more than 350 proposals and over 400 manuscripts for the scientific community and served on numerous advisory committees for professional societies. In 2004, he was awarded a special achievement award by the American Fisheries Society. Most recently, he chaired the faculty search committee that ultimately led to two new outstanding hires at VIMS. He was very dedicated to serving the Institute and was excited to play a part in rebuilding the VIMS faculty following several recent retirements.
More information on Prof. Kaattari can be found here: http://www.vims.edu/newsandevents/topstories/kaattari_stephen.php Information regarding services will be forthcoming.
Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Ilsa, and their family.
Sincerely,
Michael