Dr. Richard J. Lagow PhD

Dr. Lagow was born on August 16, 1945, in Albuquerque, N.M. to parents Faye and Ruthe Lagow. He graduated in 1963 with honors from Bryan Adams High School in Dallas, TX. He received a football and chemistry scholarship to Rice University where he was a three year letterman and went on to graduate with his B.A. in 1967 and earned his PhD in 1969.

In 1970, Dr. Lagow earned a N.S.F. Postdoctoral Fellowship, and received the I.R. 100 Award. From 1974-75, Dr. Lagow was an Alfred P. Sloan Fellow. In 1992, he was bestowed the Alexander von Humboldt Award while being honored as a Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science.

In 1997, Dr. Lagow was bestowed the great honor of the American Chemical Society Award for Creative Work in Fluorine Chemistry.

Dr. Lagow was an instructor in the Department of Chemistry at Rice University, Houston, from 1967-69; Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 1969-76; Associate Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 1976-80; Professor, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, 1980-1994; and L.N. Vauquelin Regents Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, The University of Texas at Austin, September 1994 - onward. Dr. Lagow honorably received tenure from UT-Austin.

Dr. Richard J. Lagow, founded and served as President of Exfluor Research Corporation in Austin, TX. He authored 212 chemical publications and was responsible for 81 U.S. Patents in various fields of chemistry.

Richard was exceptionally passionate about travel for both business and pleasure, served as visiting professor and lectured at universities around the world, all along with his wife at his side.

Dr. Lagow is preceded in death by his loving parents, Faye and Ruthe Lagow and brother, Bill Lagow. He is survived by the love of his life, his wife Roxann Parker-Lagow. He is also survived by daughters Micale Crawford (husband Neal), Kristen Bettis (husband Craig) and son Robert D. Lagow (wife Carrie); Grandchildren MeKenna, Caelan, and William Crawford, soon to be born, granddaughter Skyleigh Lagow and the mother of his children, Bobbie D. Lagow. He also leaves behind his beloved Mother-In-Law, Lucille Parker and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, April 29, 2010, from 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm, at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 N. IH-35, Pflugerville, TX, 78660. (512) 251-4118. Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 30, 2010, at 3:00 pm at Gethsemane Lutheran Church with Pastor Karl A. Gronberg officiating, followed by graveside services at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery - Pflugerville, TX.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 3429 Executive Center Drive - #100, Austin, TX, 78701.

A special gratitude to Dr. Lagow's extraordinary caregivers Maria Herrera, Candice Nichols and for the loving care by Maria Chagoya and her family and all the staff members of Grady Woods II Nursing Home.

Dr. Lagow was a caring son, a loving husband, a dedicated and loving father, a brilliant professor and a loyal friend. He will be deeply missed by all whose lives he touched.

To share memories of Dr. Richard J. Lagow, please visit www.CookWaldenCapitalParks.com.