Dr. Darrel Eugene Goll It is with great sadness that we announce that Dr. Darrel Eugene Goll, 72, beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother; gifted research scientist, mentor and over 30- year member of the University of Arizona faculty, passed away from a sudden heart attack on July 21st, 2008. Darrel was born in Garner, IA on the family farm where his brother Chuck still lives and works. He attended a one room country school and went on to graduate from Garner-Hayfield High School where he was a star halfback, known as "Gallopin' Goll" to his teammates and friends. Darrel, Chuck and their sister Marcia were raised on the farm in the days when farming included milking cows, raising animals and tending crops. Such an upbringing no doubt served to cultivate his well known work ethic and solid Midwestern values. Darrel obtained his B.S. in 1957 and his M.S. in 1959, both in animal science, from Iowa State University, and his Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Wisconsin in 1962. He took his first job at Iowa State, becoming a Full Professor at age 31. He and his first wife Rosalie raised their three children, Laury, Jeff and Kathy in Ames, where he also enjoyed playing fast pitch softball (he was an excellent pitcher), bridge and bowling with his family. Darrel did a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA and spent a year as research professor at Oxford University in England, and later on at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. In 1976, Darrel moved his family to Tucson to take a faculty job at The University of Arizona where he built and directed the Department of Nutrition and Food Science. He also held faculty appointments in the departments of Animal Sciences and Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, was a founding member of the Sarver Heart Center, and served in many campus-wide faculty committees. He met his second wife, Maria Teresa Velez, a psychologist and dean at the University of Arizona, in 1995 and helped raise her children Mariel and Damian. Darrel's last years were full of travels to over 30 countries with Maria Teresa, and many happy times with their combined family. He was a most humble, affable and generous man, who enjoyed having a beer (preferably German) with his friends, spending time with his family and working seven days a week in his beloved lab. He always had a twinkle in his eye, a quick smile and a humorous retort. He went out of his way to help and support people, encourage and mentor graduate students and junior faculty, organize national and international scientific meetings, and provide sound and practical advice to colleagues gleaned from his long and successful academic career. Darrel's scientific accomplishments are too many to list. He conducted pioneering work on protein biochemistry, dedicating his scientific life to characterizing the calpain system and unraveling its impact on muscle, heart disease, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer and many other diseases. His work was also important in agriculture, showing that the calpains are responsible for tenderness in meat. He has been internationally recognized with numerous awards for his scientific accomplishments, and has been described by his peers as one of the most influential muscle biology scientists of the last 40 years. He generated millions of dollars in grant revenues over his lifetime and his record includes over 300 articles in top scientific journals, monographs and book chapters, as well as more than 6,600 citations of his published work. Darrel was preceded in death by his parents Leon and Marie Goll of Garner, IA. He is survived by his wife Maria Teresa Velez of Tucson, daughter Laury and son-in-law Gary Emerson of Tucson, son Jeff and wife Tina of Phoenix, daughter Kathleen and husband Matt Derstine of Los Gatos, CA, step-children Mariel Velez and husband Nick Toriello of San Francisco, CA and Damian of Tucson; brother and sister-in-law Charles and Kathy and sister Marcia and husband Kay of Iowa, and his grandchildren Shane, Hannah and Ellie all of Arizona. A celebration of Darrel's life will be held at the Little Chapel of All Nations at 1401 E 1st St. at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, July 26th. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to "The Darrel Goll Graduate Fellowship" at the University of Arizona Foundation. Darrel is and always shall be forever treasured and deeply missed by his family, students and friends.
Published in the Arizona Daily Star on July 25, 2008
Darrel E. Goll, professor in the departments of nutritional sciences and biochemistry and molecular biophysics at The University of Arizona, passed away Monday.
Goll will be remembered as the ultimate academic and a distinguished researcher who excelled in his service to the University.
For many years, Goll was head of the department of nutritional and food sciences. He built an excellent department and his legacy formed the framework for its successor, the department of nutritional sciences.
In his research, Goll made many important contributions to the areas of muscle biochemistry and meat sciences. He received several awards for his scholarly work and throughout his scientific career was well-funded by national agencies.
While he accepted his clinical challenge, Goll maintained a vigorous work ethic and an enthusiastic and optimistic outlook that was reflected in his active and productive research program.
His colleagues will miss his keen intellectual assessments and wisdom and, on a more personal level, his friends will miss his optimism, sense of humor and warmth.
"The death of professor Darrel Goll is a tremendous loss for the family, friends and the entire academic community at the UA and beyond, said UA President Robert N. Shelton. “Professor Goll displayed all the qualities of a truly great scholar: passion for learning, a commitment to sharing knowledge through teaching and a dedication to improving the human condition through his powerful insights. I join all of his friends and family in mourning his passing."
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Darrel Goll Graduate Student Scholarship Fund. Please make checks payable to the UA Foundation with the memo area stating “Darrel Goll Graduate Student Scholarship.”
Goll is survived by his wife, Maria Teresa Velez, associate dean of the UA Graduate College, and three children and their families.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Little Chapel of All Nations, located in the Ada Pierce McCormick Building, 1401 E. First St., on the UA campus.
Johnny Cruz
July 24, 2008
UA News
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