TITLE: In memory of Professor F. Gordon A. Stone of Waco.

SUMMARY: In memory of Professor F. Gordon A. Stone of Waco.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, A life dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge came to an end with the death of eminent scientist and professor F. Gordon A. Stone of Waco on April 6, 2011, at the age of 85; and WHEREAS, Gordon Stone was born on May 9, 1925, in Exeter, England; he studied chemistry at Cambridge University, earning his bachelor's degree in 1948 and his doctorate in 1952, and he went on to serve as a postdoctoral assistant at the University of Southern California under the Fulbright Program; he subsequently joined the faculty of the chemistry department at Harvard University, attaining the rank of assistant professor; and WHEREAS, In the early 1960s, Dr. Stone returned to England to accept a post as the first chair of inorganic chemistry at Bristol University, and his career there spanned nearly three decades; he continued his teaching and research at Baylor University, which he joined in 1990 as the Robert A. Welch Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, before retiring at the age of 85 in 2010; and WHEREAS, An internationally recognized expert in the field of organometallic chemistry, Professor Stone coauthored more than 750 primary scientific articles and gave lectures around the globe; he was named one of the 100 most cited chemists in the world by the Institute for Scientific Information; and WHEREAS, Professor Stone was elected to the Royal Society, London, in 1976, and in 1990 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth; in addition, he earned the highest awards of the major academic chemical societies in Britain and the United States, and he received a number of honorary degrees from universities in Europe and North America; the American Chemical Society published his scientific autobiography, Leaving No Stone Unturned,in 1993; and WHEREAS, This esteemed gentleman enjoyed the love and support of his wife, the former Judith Hislop, for 52 years until her death in 2008; together they were blessed with three sons, James, Peter, and Derek, as well as seven grandchildren; and WHEREAS, When not traveling the world, Professor Stone and his wife divided their time between their homes in Bristol, England, and Waco; the couple were renowned for their warmth and hospitality, frequently hosting guests for a meal or an overnight stay; and WHEREAS, Gordon Stone lived a life of extraordinary achievement, and he leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all those who were privileged to know him; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 82nd Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of F. Gordon A. Stone and extend sincere condolences to his family: to his sons, James, Peter, and Derek Stone; to his seven grandchildren; and to his other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Gordon Stone. Anderson of McLennan Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2235 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on May 30, 2011. Chief Clerk of the House