The Reed Magazine blog has reported that Kenneth Koe ’45, one of the principal scientists on the Zoloft discovery team at Pfizer, passed away at his daughter’s home earlier this month. He was 90 years old.
I remember meeting Dr. Koe in person in 2008 when he returned to campus to accept the Howard Vollum Award for Distinguished Accomplishment in Science and Technology. Although advanced in years, he was intellectually sharp, friendly and curious about the current generation of Reed scientists, and gracious towards all.
It was a privilege to welcome this Portland native who had done so much for so many back to campus and to honor his achievements in this distinctly Reed-like way. We have lost a friend and colleague.
Kenneth Koe’s Howard Vollum award acceptance speech
“Breaking Depression’s Icy Grip,” Reed magazine, Winter 2009