James (Jim) L. Dye, a University Distinguished Professor of chemistry at MSU for more than 60 years, died on Oct. 8. He was 94 and is survived by Angie, his wife of 73 years, children Tom (Sandra) Dye, Roberta (Hugh) Tanner and Brenda Dye-Mugno, his 10 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, sister Amy (Harvey) Matheson and brother Joel (Shirley, deceased) Dye.

 

Dye was a member of MSU’s emeriti faculty in the College of Natural Science. He began teaching at MSU in 1953. Though he retired in 1994, he continued to conduct research and mentor undergraduate students.

 

He was one of MSU’s most influential and successful researchers and teachers. A pioneer in chemistry, he is best known for his work with alkali metals, earning him recognition as the “discoverer of alkalides and electrides.” He co-founded SiGNa Chemistry, which received the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award in 2008.

 

“Professor Dye changed the way that chemists look at the periodic table of elements,” said Timothy Warren, Barnett Rosenberg Professor of Chemistry, and chair of the MSU Department of Chemistry. “Normally associated with a positive charge, Dr. Dye revolutionized our understanding of alkali metals such as sodium by showing that they can have a negative charge too. He translated his remarkable insight into nature to broader society through his company SiGNa that transforms these useful but reactive metals into safe, easy-to-use materials. Despite his paradigm-shifting successes as a researcher, Dr. Dye came across as an ‘ordinary’ person who was an extraordinary role model, mentor and friend to many inside and outside MSU.”

 

Dye’s scientific accomplishments led to his election to the National Academy of Sciences and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He received two Guggenheim Fellowships, a Fulbright Fellowship and the American Chemical Society National Award in Inorganic Chemistry.

 

Dye conducted his sabbatical research with Nobel Laureates Manfred Eigen, Jean-Marie Lehn and others. He educated countless students and post-doctoral researchers during his six decades at MSU.

 

The James L. Dye Endowed Chair in Materials Chemistry was created in 2014 to honor and assist new generations of chemists to carry on Dye’s legacy.

 

“Dr. Jim Dye was a scholar, teacher and friend that was known and respected across the College of Natural Science for more than 60 years,” said Phil Duxbury, dean of the College of Natural Science. “His outstanding scholarship, integrity and generosity to students and colleagues will be long remembered and honored; and his extraordinary scientific discoveries in chemistry and materials innovation will impact science for generations to come. It was a remarkable honor to have him as a member of our community for so many years. He will be greatly missed.” 

 

A memorial was held in Longmont, Colorado Oct. 24. A Celebration of Life memorial service is to be held in East Lansing at 11 a.m. on July 9 at University Lutheran church.

 

Donations may be made to the "James L. Dye Endowed Chair in Materials Chemistry” honoring him and his devotion to education at MSU.