Chemistry professor dies of cancer at 70

Phillip Lin
Published: Monday, June 27, 2005

Christopher Spencer Foote, a distinguished organic chemistry professor at UCLA since 1962 and the foremost authority on chemical reactions of singlet oxygen, died June 13 from complications of brain cancer. He was 70.

During his teaching career at UCLA, Foote furthered the field of chemistry through his research. He discovered the role of singlet oxygen, an electronically excited form of oxygen in the air, and his research helped explain molecular oxygen’s simultaneous beneficial yet toxic role in life processes.

“Professor Foote’s lifelong research established the enormous importance and double-edged nature of singlet oxygen and reactive oxygen species,” said Kendall Houk, professor of organic chemistry.

“Chris led a research team that showed these altered forms of oxygen formed by the influence of light can be used for beneficial chemical reactions and have many natural functions in living cells – but are responsible for many types of biological damage, including DNA reactions leading to mutations.”

Foote earned his bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Yale University in 1957, and he spent the following year at the University of Gottingen in Germany where he developed his interest in reactive oxygen species. After entering Harvard University in 1958, he received his Ph.D. in 1962 for work with Nobel Laureate Robert Burns Woodward on solvolytic reactions.

Foote co-wrote the organic chemistry textbook Brown and Foote, which is now in its fourth edition and used in undergraduate courses worldwide. Having studied in Germany, he gave back to the scientific community through his book.

“Chris was a wonderful guy. By writing one of the textbooks used here at UCLA, he not only taught here but around the world as well,” said Michael Jung, professor of organic chemistry.

His colleagues spoke warmly of his interest in others’ well-being.

“He was a real intellect, a master of many languages, besides chemistry. But he was a very warm and friendly person too, always volunteering to help out on any worthwhile project, and always very considerate of others,” Houk said.

One such project occurred when he was chair of the Department of Chemistry from 1978 to 1981, during which he advocated the construction of the Molecular Sciences Building that was completed in 1994.

He also supported developing the department’s commitment to hiring outstanding female scientists for faculty positions by encouraging his colleagues to put thought into looking over their applications.

“When he was chair of his department at UCLA, he persuaded his colleagues to hire me, probably the best single thing that ever happened to me in my career, and I became the first tenured or tenure-track woman in the department, thanks to Chris,” said Joan Valentine, professor of organic chemistry with whom he later co-edited two books.

In his free time, Foote was a patron of the Los Angeles Opera and the Da Camera Society, a concert series in Southern California. He also acted as a benefactor of the L.A. Chamber Orchestra and built his own harpsichord.

Foote balanced his cultural side with an active interest in skiing that he enjoyed until the very end.

“Even late in life he skied like a madman, a very good skiing madman,” Jung said.

Foote helped develop the chemistry department with his intellect and wisdom, his colleagues said.

“Chris was a mentor to me and a friend. It’s hard to imagine a future without him,” Valentine said.

Foote is survived by his wife Judith L. Smith, his sister Mark Foote Rounsavall, his two sons Jonathan Trumbull Foote and Thomas Ward Foote and a grandson Spencer Andre Foote. A memorial service will be held in fall.

Donations may be made to the Christopher S. Foote Graduate Fellowship in Organic Chemistry at UCLA and sent to: Camille Harper, UCLA College, 1309 Murphy Hall, Box 951413, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1413.