After a lifetime of devotion to family, church, and science, Edward (Ted) Marcus Eyring died on February 20, 2021. He was born January 7, 1931 in Oakland, California to Henry Eyring and Mildred Bennion Eyring. He grew up in Princeton, New Jersey, where he was the only LDS student at Princeton High School, and where all the church meetings he attended were in the dining room at his home. He served two and a half years in the France Paris Mission.
He married Marilyn Murphy on December 28, 1954 in the Salt Lake Temple. He graduated from the University of Utah where he was a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Phi Kappa Phi. He completed a two-and-a-half-year tour of duty with the Air Force. In 1960, he earned a doctorate, spent a year in Germany as a Guggenheim Fellow, and then returned home to join the chemistry faculty at the University of Utah. Over the next 50 years Ted co-authored many scientific papers with his gifted students and faculty collaborators. The most important product of his teaching and research was the training of more than 100 pre- and post-doctoral students, who have each made important contributions to the field of science. One of his favorite professional activities was writing informative letters of recommendation for his former students. One of Ted’s innovations was the introduction of Service-Learning Field Projects into his classes. He received a number of awards for scientific research, but his favorite recognitions were those his students awarded for exceptional teaching.
Ted served in many capacities in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; in both teaching and leadership, including serving as Bishop twice. He loved his family and spent countless hours at athletic games, musical programs, and other family activities. He loved their annual trip to Laguna Beach, cruises, and other trips with his family. He and Marilyn love to travel and often visited foreign countries all over the world. For years he was an avid racquetball player
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, children Steven (Jill) Eyring, Valerie LaHaye, David (Juli) Eyring, his brothers Henry B. Eyring and Harden Eyring, 11 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Sharon, and great granddaughter Addyson.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, February 27, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. Friends and family may attend via Zoom at the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83390368249?pwd=cmxlc0Mvam85VXhLM0Y4emJ6M3NGUT09
Interment will take place in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.
In Lieu of flowers please donate to the Edward M. Eyring scholarship fund at the University of Utah.
I would like to give my condolences to the Eyring family and in particular to Steve, whom I worked with for several years at CheckRite. I have fond memories of our friendship during those years and regret having lost touch. Cherish your dad’s memory, Steve. I hope you and your loved ones make it through during these difficult times. Take care, friend.
I'm so sad to hear that Prof. Eyring passed away. I was in his final thermodynamics course, and it was really nice to hear his family stories throughout the semester. He was a kind person, and really cared about the chemistry department and its students. He will be missed, and remembered through the scholarship in his name.
My Condolence.
I still remember Dr. Ted Erying's determined eyes that gave me courage to stand and walk again in my trials.
I sincerely appreciate his examples that became part of my life.
One of the most humble, most brilliant, and simply best people I have ever known. Ted always, always made time for me when I had questions about how to teach some difficult concept, and he was a paragon of integrity and character. A tremendous role model as a scientist but more importantly as a person.
It's difficult to express what a difference Professor Eyring made for me. As an undergraduate student, he gave me the opportunity to conduct research and helped me into my first job out of college. Later he served on my dissertation committee and provided meaningful feedback and insight. He was a sympathetic and supportive advisor when I was going through difficulties. I will aspire to follow his example professionally and personally.
Dear Marilyn, and others in Ted's family,
I'm writing to let you know how much of a difference Ted Eyring made for me as I began my career here at the University of Utah's Chemistry Department back in 1985. Ted was always cheerful and encouraging to me. He was one of my strong supporters. From the time when I interviewed and he took me to dinner at "The Five Awls" through all of our many years of teaching together, Ted was always delightful and a perfect gentleman. His dry sense of humor will stay with me forever. I'll never forget his admonition when I described something I was doing with another professor in the department: he said "When dealing with Professor X, watch your wallet!" Ted was direct, always honest, and unfailingly kind to me. I will miss him.
Please accept my heartfelt condolences. Ted's passing will leave a huge hole in his family's lives. Even though he's been retired now for a few years, his loss is very real for all of us in the Chemistry Department as well.
Dear Marilyn and Ted's family,
Ted was one of my favorite colleagues. In faculty meetings, he was often quiet but when he did speak, he always had something important to say. I enjoyed his company and his dry wit. I always thought of him as being quintessentially avuncular. I have missed his presence in the department and am very sad to see him go.
My very best wishes to all his family and students, Peter
Dear Eyring Family,
I am so sad to hear of Ted's passing. I have so many fond memories of my interactions with Ted during my many years in the department. He was one of the most compassionate and understanding individuals I have ever met. The world would truly be a better place if everyone treated others like Ted did. I missed him after I retired and I miss him more now.
Marilyn and family, I was so sad to learn of Ted's passing. He was Department Chair and my host at the time I interviewed at Utah, and I recall how he coached me about negotiating a job offer, as he drove me to the airport to catch my return flight. Since I started my faculty appointment at Utah right out of graduate school, Ted was my ‘postdoctoral’ mentor, who let me test ideas on his blackboard and provided honest critique and countless helpful suggestions. Throughout my career, my teaching and research have been inspired by regular visits to Ted’s office. He was a mentor, colleague, and good friend.
Since he retired, I stayed in touch with Ted, with occasional phone calls. I’ll miss those conversations. You all have my deepest sympathy at this sad time. -Joel
Ted was a wonderful teacher and human being. He had a great influence in my life.
Dear Eyring Family, it is quite sad to hear of Ted's passing. He was a great mentor, inspiration, and friend during my Graduate studies at the UofU (starting 1996). His in-depth knowledge of chemistry and passion for teaching was obvious as I always left our meetings a smarter individual. What really stood out was his understanding and kindness as he also took time to really know me outside of the academic world and he truly enriched my personal life as well. He will be greatly missed.
Dear Marilyn and family members I want to express my deepest sympathies for Ted's passing, but I know he is a good place now. As Marilyn may remember, I was lucky enough to work with Ted as a postdoc in 1981/82 before taking a faculty position at the University at Buffalo. But like all good mentors (and I was sure lucky in my choices of mentors over my career), Ted's impact on my life and career was NOT limited to my time at the U. He was a constant presence in my thinking about my academic career. And his presence kept my year in Salt Lake City at the forefront of my thinking of how to navigate "non traditional' aspects of being a chemistry faculty member in a research university. His personal style of leadership/collaboration helped me become a thoughtful mentor for my students, colleagues and community members. I want to offer my prayers and those from my family to for you in this time of sadness. I will try to be part of the online funeral services this Saturday. All my love, Joe Gardella
Dr. Eyring was a great chemistry teacher in my pre-medical school years. I also had the privilege of being a teaching assistant for him as an undergraduate. He is simply a great scientist, teacher, and individual. I am grateful to have been so influenced by him in my education. Sincerely, Ron Larkin
I read over the condolences offered so far and thought of my own interactions with Ted over many years. I really don't have anything to add except amen to everything I read. What a great example he was of one who pursues scientific research with integrity, mentors colleagues and students with total dedication and treats everyone with kindness and caring.
Dear Marilyn and other family members, Peg and I send our condolences. Ted was a wonderful human being with a great sense of humor and a kind heart for all. I never heard him speak with anger or disrespect toward anyone.
Ted hosted me when I interviewed for my faculty job in 1971 and he helped me a lot, especially in my early years on the faculty. In my first year on the faculty, I was assigned to teach Chem. 109, which was the class to prepare students to begin the regular first-year chemistry class sequence that Ron Ragsdale (and many of out other colleagues) taught in. I found out later that I "earned" that assignment because the faculty were a bit concerned about whether a theoretical chemist could do a decent job with such a "low-level" class. This explained why I saw Ted in the back of the lecture hall during some of my early lectures. Later I learned that Ted gave my high marks based on seeing me run around the lecture hall bouncing into the walls as I demonstrated how the pressure of molecules striking the walls depended on their kinetic energies both because the force with which they struck the walls so depended and because how often (i.e., the frequency) they struck the walls also did. He said it reminded him of Henry Eyring's style which I understand was high praise from him. So, he and the rest of my colleagues decided keeping me was worth a try.
Like many of my faculty colleagues, I will long remember with love and respect this great person.
Jack
I remember taking a physical chemistry class from Ted years ago. He was a wonderful and brilliant scientist like his father. Ted was a kind and thoughtful teacher who contributed much, not only to science, but also to making his classes fun and interesting. He contributed much to making the University of Utah chemistry department one of renown. I have known his brother Harden and worked with him on the high council in our stake. I also remember while presiding with my wife over the Temple Square Mission seeing President Eyring, Ted, and Harden on several occasions eating together in the Church Office Building cafeteria. They were a great team, dignified, intelligent, professional, and honorable, obviously having been taught well by great parents. I send my sincere condolences at this tender time of Ted's passing. Wishing the family all the best and much love, Garfield
Dear Marilyn and family,
Our memories of Ted and you go back a long time. Most of the then current faculty are no longer with us. When Wes Joined the Department in 1964, Ted was already established as an upcoming researcher and faculty member. Ted, the man, was always completely straightforward and honest in everything (like his dad), good humored, and easy to get along with. We knew him as a well-rated classroom professor who was also well-known for his research.
Marilyn B. remembers the chem-wives club and other social interactions that not surprisingly faded as the faculty grew. There were only 12 faculty when Wes joined them.
Wes and Marilyn
We send our sympathy to you, Marilyn, and to all the family.
Wes and Marilyn
To Ted's Great Family: I did not think that I would live to see Ted retire from his journey here on earth before me. Both being 90. I have a found recollection as Ted and I rode the train together from Paris to He, I believe to Angouleme, and I alone other than for the French on board. I felt so good as he could speak at the time fairly good French and I not at all. He was so intelligent and I so limited in my education. I thought I would be totally lost as we departed for our own assignments. What great comfort he have me at that time!
We did not see one another after we left France. I went on to spend 33 months their and learn a little French. I admired him so much and it helped me much to set a goal to be better educated finally to receive an Ed D. in Education. I know your lives have been greatly blessed by him and I have also. May each of you also follow his great example and be blessed by our Father's Love. Sincerest Regards. Paul
Mrs. Eyring and other friends:
Only this afternoon I saw in the Salt Lake Tribune, weekly edition, the passing of one of my good friends while I worked at the University of Utah purchasing department. Having the pleasure as a purchasing agent for over forty-five years I had the experience of buying computers, chemicals and any thing else
Dr. Eyring or the department needed. I even applied at one time, and qualified for it, in a job change from purchasing, as manager and buyer for the departments stock room. Dr. Ted was easy to work with. I will always remember him. My best to those who knew him. God bless you.
As a chemistry professor at BYU, I collaborated briefly with Ted and admired him greatly. He was not only an outstanding chemist, but a fine raquetball player and friend. God bless you with comfort in your loss.
My condolences to the Eyring family. I loved being your neighbor during my childhood years. Bro. Eyring was always so welcoming when I'd be over at your house hanging out with Sharon. Hugs and prayers for you all.
The best professor I ever had at the University of Utah. Here's the chairman still teaching Chem 101, 102, 103. Since he was my Bishop and knew I was in this big auditorium, he would call out in the middle of class, "Mr. Siddoway, what do you think about problem number 15?" I could never slack off with him in front of the class - even if I hid in row 35.
He always had a smile - I'll always remember him like this photograph.
Great man, great Bishop, and a friend to everyone in the ward, especially my family.
We love you Ted.
Roger Siddoway (say hello to Marolyn and John for me)
I was surprised when I opened my copy of the Tribune to the obituary page and there was Ted Eyring's smiling face. Marilyn, please accept my condolences and relay my best wishes to your family. Ted has been one of my best friends since the early 1960s. We had lots in common since we were both professors of chemistry but at different institutions (I at BYU.) Ted and I were together at many conferences all over the world. He was a wonderful person and went about doing good.
To Maillyn and the Eyring family: Back in 1969, I took Freshman Chemistry from Ted . He was a wonderful professor. I later took PChem from his father. Having been in the pharmaceutical patent law business for over 45 years, the Eyrings were my most influential professors, as they led me to a degree in Chemistry which I have used all these decades. My very best wishes to all the family members in this time of great loss.
Professor Eyring was A wonderful teacher, a wonderful friend and mentor during my years at the University of Utah. I loved working with him in the laboratory and learned so much from him. I’m honored to have known him and been blessed by him.
To the Eyring family: I am so sorry for your loss. I was privileged to be one of Dr. Eyring's graduate students from 1965 to 1967. As I reflect about my life and career, I am so grateful for the many things that he taught me about science, work ethics, enthusiasm for the task at hand, and the benefits of hard work! You will note that science was only part of the many things that I credit as having learned from him. It is difficult for me to imagine how I could have found a better role model at the time in my life when I sincerely had a need for one. I so appreciate his caring about me; for me he was truly the amazing Dr. Ted Eyring. He will be missed.
Paull Holmes, Farmington New Mexico
Marilyn and family - We send our heartfelt condolences to you.
Atta Aarif
