In Memoriam: C. Fred Fox
Dr. C. Fred Fox, award-winning microbiologist, UCLA professor emeritus and founder of what is now the Keystone Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Biology, passed away on Oct. 24 with his family by his side. He fought a valiant fight with Alzheimer’s Disease and was briefly hospitalized. Fox was lovingly cared for by his wife, Dr. Jacqueline Schott Fox (Jackie), in their home, which he dearly loved. He was a devoted husband, father and brother who lived his life with great zest and curiosity.
Fox was born Aug. 19, 1937, in Springfield, Ohio, the only son of Charles L. Fox, longtime principal of Springfield High School, and Geneva Demarest Fox, concert pianist and teacher. In his youth, Fox loved the outdoors, science, model trains, music and reading. By high school, he was a professional trumpeter with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra and local jazz bands. He performed in the SHS marching band and created the band’s halftime football field programs. Fox had a lovely tenor voice and sang leading roles in school musicals and solos in church. He also tutored students in science and taught private trumpet lessons and, in his spare time, he had a large paper route! Industrious and generous, some of what Fox earned delivering papers and teaching was added to the family’s coffer.
Encouraged by his parents, Fox began developing his career in science as he enrolled in college at Wittenberg University. His college degrees include: B.A, cum laude, Wittenberg University, 1960; M.A., Ohio State University, 1961; Ph.D., University of Chicago, 1964; Honorary Doctor of Science, Wittenberg University, 1974.
After receiving his doctorate, Fox became a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow at Harvard University. In 1966, he became associate professor of microbiology at University of Chicago. In late 1971, Fox moved to California, where he was professor of microbiology at UCLA from 1971 through 2012.
In 1973, Fox won the distinguished Eli Lilly award in science from the American Chemical Society. He was awarded the Martin Luther Distinguished Alumnae award from Wittenberg University and also received a distinguished alumnus award from Springfield High School. From 1969 through 1976, Fox received many Recipient Research Career Development awards from the United States Public Health Service.
Fox became department chairman, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, at UCLA in 1976, a position he held until 1981. He was founding editor of the “Journal of Cellular Biology” (Wiley Publishing) and author of several scholarly books.
In 1972, Fox founded what is now known as the Keystone Symposium, an international conference of 50-60 annual meetings on topics ranging from structural biology to global health. The Symposium was Fox’s brainchild, organized for scientists to discuss membrane biology. From that first meeting, the Symposium has grown to be a preeminent gathering of scientists around the world, including presentations by Nobel prize winners, national leaders in public health, and leaders of industry. Additionally, the Symposium encourages young scientists. Fox felt there was great benefit from encouraging scientists and industry leaders to exchange ideas. For years he was on the Board of the Symposium and helped it flourish. During the Symposium’s 50th year celebration, Fox was honored as founder.
In 1981, Fox co-founded a biotechnology company now known as Xoma. Throughout his career, he was listed as a noteworthy microbiologist, educator and consultant by Marquis Who’s Who. He was a member of numerous scientific societies, including the American Society of Molecular Biology.
As a devoted family man, Fox lovingly supported his three children, Genny, Eric and Kris, throughout their schooling and found great joy raising them. He was an avid snow skier and gourmet chef. In fact, Fox designed a restaurant-quality kitchen for his home. His family and friends looked forward with great anticipation to the many meals and holiday banquets he and Jackie prepared.
Fox and his family traveled to worldwide destinations, hiked in national parks and skied at Colorado ski resorts, including Keystone, Colorado, where they had a second home.
Fox loved the family’s pet dogs who were his faithful and constant companions.
Fox is survived by his wife of 44 years, Jacqueline, of Laguna Woods, California; his son, Kris Fox, of Calgary, Canada; his daughter, Genevieve (Genny) Caitlin Fox, and her fiancé, Nick Scozzaro, of Santa Barbara, California; his son, Dr. Eric Warren Fox, of Union City, California; his sister, Lucinda (Cindy) Fox Carter, and her husband, Dr. Lyne H. Carter, of Dallas, Texas. A family celebration of Fox’s life will be held at his home.
The family advises that those wishing to make gifts of remembrance might consider Fox’s affiliate colleges, Alzheimer’s Association, Keystone Symposium on Molecular and Cellular Biology or a charity of their choice.
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