Jack Z Gougoutas

Jack was born on February 22, 1939, in Mansfield, Ohio, to Reverend Zanos and Aretí (Pallio) Gougoutas, who had immigrated to the United States the previous year from Agiassos on the Greek island of Lesvos. His father went on to serve as the parish priest of St. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church in Mansfield for thirty-five years.

Jack’s passion for science developed early. In high school he began collecting used laboratory equipment and eventually built an extensive chemistry lab in the basement of his home. This creative endeavor foreshadowed the next six decades of a life immersed in the “Art of Science.”

Jack received a scholarship to Harvard University, where he completed his undergraduate studies in 1961. He then completed a PhD in chemistry and post-doctoral training in the laboratory of Nobel Laureate Robert Burns Woodward followed by a faculty appointment as Assistant Professor from 1965 -1970. While serving as Assistant Professor, he established himself as a leading figure in solid-state chemistry and X-Ray diffraction. In 1971, he joined the faculty as a full professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Minnesota, where he remained for the next twelve years.

In 1983 he moved to Princeton, New Jersey where he transitioned from academics to industry and was named Distinguished Research Fellow and Principal Scientist in the Division of Solid-State Chemistry at Bristol-Myers Squibb. He was widely recognized for his expertise in crystallography and process research and development. In 2012, he and his wife Linda moved to Portland, Oregon to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

He nurtured a life-long love of music, from Classical to Country to Contemporary Greek. Though never formally trained, he played the violin, guitar, piano, and bouzouki. Jack also enjoyed catapulting into space - diving, pole vaulting, and performing tricks on the trampoline. He will be remembered as a free and easy spirit - gentle, humble, and kind. He would say to everyone he met, “I am here if you need me.”

He is predeceased by his parents, Areti and Zanos Gougoutas, his sister, Dr. Bess Kypros, and his nephew, Christopher Kypros.

His life continues in the lives of his wife of sixty-two years, Linda Hattman, whom he met in junior high school; his children, Christina, Kate, and Alexander (Megan); his grandchildren, Jack (28), Mila (21), and Theodore (“Tug”) (3); his brother-in-law, Dr. George Kypros Sr.; his nephews, George Jr. and Paul Kypros; and his cousin, Eleni Argiras.

A celebration of Jack’s life will be held this summer in Princeton, New Jersey at a date to be determined. Donations in his memory can be made to the Rev. Zanos Gougoutas, Christopher, and Drs. George and Bess Kypros Family Scholarship. This award is granted to students pursuing studies in Autism Spectrum Disorders, Child Development, or Early Childhood Education. Address: Madonna University, 36600 Schoolcraft Rd., Livonia, MI 48150.