Sierra College mourns loss of astronomy professor

ROCKLIN — Sierra College astronomy professor Dr. Harry L. F. Houpis died unexpectedly at his home Wednesday. He was 54. Houpis joined the astronomy faculty in July 1997, and was the chairman of the astronomy department. He graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology with a bachelor of science in mathematics and a bachelor of science in physics. He also graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a masters and doctorate in physics. Houpis taught part-time at a variety of levels from grade school to four-year universities since 1978 and was a strong advocate of multimedia lecturing and hands-on peer-based learning. Houpis published several technical papers in several professional journals, delivered numerous presentations at professional meetings, and was researching problems associated with cosmology, philosophy and the foundations of mathematics. He was also the chairman and adviser of the Sierra College Beta Mu Zeta Chapter of Phi Theta Kappa honors committee. There was much more to Houpis than can be gleaned by his impressive academic accomplishments. He was known for his optimism, kindness and boundless energy. "Harry was very passionate about everything he did and he really knew how keep his priorites straight," said Carole Houpis, his wife. "He always said, 'my family comes first, then science, followed by bicycling and model railroading.'" His death, the cause of which was not released, caught everyone by surprise, officials reported. "It was tragic and sudden," said Mike Sequeira, dean of the college's sciences and mathematics department. "We are deeply saddened at the unexpected loss of our dear friend and colleague. He will be greatly missed." Houpis was scheduled to co-host the college's fall Convocation, a gathering of the faculty and staff to celebrate the beginning of the semester. Instead, Dr. Leo E. Chavez, superintendent/president, announced that the day's event would be rescheduled to allow the community time to reflect and gather with their peers. "He was highly respected here and much loved by his students," Chavez said. "We're going to miss him."The family of professor Houpis has requested that instead of sending flowers, people donate to the Sierra College Foundation. Indicate on the check in the memo area "Harry Houpis scholarship fund."For more information on the memorial fund, contact the Sierra College Foundation at (916) 789-2920.-Staff report