W. Richard Stevens Obituary

STEVENS, W. Richard, noted author of computer books died on September 1 [, 1999]. He is best known for his UNIX Network Programming [Volume 1: APIs, Volume 2: IPC] series (1990, 1998, 1999), Advanced Programming in the UNIX Environment (1992), and TCP/IP Illustrated series [Volume 1: Protocols, Volume 2: Implementation, Volume 3: TCP/T, HTTP, NNTP, Unix Domain Protocols] (1994, 1995, 1996).

Richard was born in 1951 in Luanshya, Northern Rhodesia (now Zambia), where his father worked for the copper industry. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Hurley, New Mexico, Washington, DC and Phalaborwa, South Africa. Richard attended Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, Virginia. He received a B.SC. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1973, and an M.S. (1978) and Ph.D. (1982) in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona. He moved to Tucson in 1975 and from then until 1982 he was employed at Kitt Peak National Observatory as a computer programmer. From 1982 until 1990 he was Vice President of Computing Services at Health Systems International in New Haven, CT, moving back to Tucson in 1990. Here he pursued his career as an author and consultant. He was also an avid pilot and a part-time flight instructor during the 1970's.

He is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Sally Hodges Stevens; three wonderful children, Bill, Ellen and David; sister, Claire Stevens of Las Vegas, NV; brother, Bob and wife Linda Stevens of Dallas, TX; nieces, Laura, Sarah, Collette, Christy; and nephew, Brad. He is predeceased by his parents, Royale J. Stevens (1915-1984); and Helen Patterson Stevens (1916-1997). Helen lived in Tucson from 1991-1997, and Royale lived here in the early 1930's attending Tucson High School while his father was treated for TB at the Desert Sanitorium (now TMC).

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Richard's name to Habitat for Humanity, 2950 E. 22nd Street, Tucson, AZ 85713. A memorial service for Richard will be held at St. Phillip's in the Hills Episcopal Church on Tuesday, September 7th at 12:00 noon. Following the service there will be a reception in the Murphy Gallery of the Church. Please wear colorful clothing to the service; Richard loved colors.

Source: Arizona Daily Star

USENIX Lifetime Achievement Award

The UNIX Lifetime Achivement Award is to recognize and celebrate singular contributions to the UNIX community in both intellectual achievement and service that are not recognized in any other forum. The award itself is in the form of an original glass sculpture called "the Flame."

Biographies

• Short Autobiography
• Long Autobiography
• W. Richard Stevens' FAQ
• W. Richard Stevens' website
• "Guru of the Unix Gurus" by Rachel Chalmers. Article on Rich Stevens and his receiving the Usenix Lifetime Achievement Award a year after his death. (Salon,1 Sept. 2000)

http://dan.drydog.com/6bone/w.richard.stevens.obituary.html