1943-2009
Bill Wilson of Cider Mountain Road, Warren, died peacefully Tuesday evening, January 20, 2009, of pancreatic cancer.
Bill grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, and received his Ph.D. in
electrical engineering from Cornell University. He served on the
faculty of Rice University (Houston, Texas) for 34 years, and was
widely recognized as a professor who inspired student learning and who
supported numerous student initiatives. In addition, he continued his
research in semi-conductors, published numerous technical papers and
became a major contributor to Connexions, a groundbreaking online
environment for freely sharing and publishing scholarly content.
Bill's lifelong commitment to Vermont began at age 13 as a camper at
Keewaydin, a boys' camp on Lake Dunmore. He continued there for many
years as a staff member in the camp's youth and adult programs. He
maintained strong Keewaydin ties and visited Vermont whenever he had a
break from his university responsibilities.
When he retired to Warren three years ago, he brought his talents and
energies to pursuits which included recording projects for Warren
School classes and volunteering for the Loon Recovery Project on East
Long Pond in Woodbury, VT, where he owned a small camp. He also
consulted part time for Solar Works Inc. in Montpelier.
Bill's life was enriched by his own ceaseless love of learning,
teaching, music, theater, woodworking and outdoor activities --
including gardening, camping, hiking and canoeing.
Bill is survived by his brother Tom Wilson, Kate Hale and Jesse Hale
Wood of Wisconsin and a loving extended family which includes the Rice
University community, former Keewaydin campers and staff and, locally,
Lil, Jamie, Emily, Heather, Hazel, Grayson, Pip and Jo Brewster.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Loon Recovery Project,
Vermont Center for Ecostudies, P.O. Box 420, Norwich, VT 05055.
