LSU coastal scientist dies at 54 - mystery illness

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/latest/LSU-coastal-scientist-dies-at-54.html


* Advocate Capitol News Bureau
* Published: Feb 19, 2011 - Page: 9A

Comments (1)

The LSU community is reeling after the sudden death Thursday of prominent LSU coastal scientist Gregory Stone.

Stone, who was quoted extensively in many publications internationally after last year’s BP oil leak, was the director of the renowned Wave-Current Information System.

The system is used by many fishermen and scientists to monitor wind, waves and currents off the Louisiana coast.

Chris D’Elia, dean of the LSU School of the Coast and Environment, said Stone was a great researcher, teacher, mentor and family man.

“We’re all dazed and stunned,” D’Elia said. “He was a lynchpin at this place. It’s a tremendous loss. He was loved by his staff. People who worked with him adored him.”

D’Elia said Stone was admitted into intensive care late last week from an unknown illness. The thought was that Stone was improving but then news came that he died Thursday, D’Elia said.

Stone, 54, was a native of Ireland. He was first hired at LSU in 1990 after receiving his doctorate at the University of Maryland.

Longtime LSU colleague Harry Roberts said in a statement, “Greg always projected a genuine sense of happiness and feeling of accomplishment when he talked about his students and they loved working for him in the educational environment he created.”

Stone is survived by his wife, Ann, and his 16-year-old son, Carter.

A memorial service will be held at noon Monday at Rabenhorst Funeral Home on Government Street.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to the LSU Foundation Coastal Studies Institute Unendowed Account. Checks should be made payable to the LSU Foundation, with the notes section indicating LSU School of the Coast and Environment’s Coastal Studies Institute.

Donations can be mailed to the LSU Foundation at 3838 W. Lakeshore Drive, Baton Rouge, LA 70808. Donations may also be given online at http://www.lsufoundation.org/contribute.

Tweet