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Professor Douglas L. Mills

University of California, Irvine

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

It is with profound sadness that I am writing to inform you that Professor Douglas L. Mills lost his long fight with leukemia this past Thursday, March 29. Anyone who knew what Doug had been going through the past several years was truly amazed by his good-natured, optimistic fight. He treated his own case as a science experiment: he dug into the literature and worked closely with his medical team to find the correct treatment. Doug was an optimist right up to the end. Doug loved to discuss science and mentor younger people. His enthusiasm was profound and infectious. His main non-academic diversion was sailing, and I am sad that I never had the chance to share that activity with him. We will miss him dearly.

The School will hold a remembrance this Friday, April 6, 3 pm, NS-II 1201 to toast Doug’s life and his contributions to UCI. Doug’s family will hold a celebration of his life at the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club on July 1, 2:00 pm. The Department of Physics and Astronomy is planning to host an event to commemorate Doug’s scientific achievements either later this spring or in fall quarter.

Doug is survived by his wife, Sandy, his children, Sherylle and Scott, and three grandchildren, Cage, Jack and Megan.

If you wish to send a personal message to the family, you can address it in care of the School of Physical Sciences Dean’s Office, and we will make sure it is delivered. In addition to his passion for teaching physics, Doug had a similar passion for teaching sailing. He founded the Bahia Sail Racing Association. The association trains future amateur sailors, with one just qualified for the next Olympic Competition.  In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations (tax deductible) be sent to the Bahia Sail Racing Association, c/o Jacque Pane, Executive Secretary/Membership Administrator of the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club, at 1601 Bayside Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

Sincerely,

Ken Janda
Dean