Obituaries | 1980-1989

SETH TELLER, a member of MIT’s computer science and engineering faculty, who was internationally renowned for his efforts to develop robots that are useful to people in their daily lives, died July 1, 2014. He was 50. After graduating from Wesleyan he received his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley, and did research at Hebrew University in Jerusalem and at Princeton University before joining the faculty at MIT, where he rose to the rank of full professor. He led a research group that focused on making machines aware of their surroundings and capable of interacting naturally with people in healthcare, military, civilian, and disaster-relief settings. As leader of MIT’s Fifth Sense Project, he worked with colleagues and students to develop wearable devices to assist people who are blind or have low vision. A neighborhood activist and longtime ultimate Frisbee player, he led grassroots efforts to promote neighborhood-friendly development decisions and to improve open spaces in Cambridge, Mass. Among those who survive are his wife, Rachel Zimmerman, two daughters, his parents, two brothers, and a large extended family.

JULIA WU TRETHAWAY, 55, a history teacher and administrator at the Hotchkiss School, died July 9, 2014. An East Asian and Modern European studies major, she joined the Hotchkiss faculty in the fall of 1980. After teaching there for several years she studied in the PhD program in East Asian studies at the University of Michigan and returned to Hotchkiss two years later when she married fellow Hotchkiss teacher Tom Trethaway. She later received a MALS from Dartmouth College. She served as a class dean and founded the Hotchkiss faculty women’s ice hockey team, in addition to being a well-known and respected presence on the campus. Survivors include her husband, Tom Trethaway, two children, and her mother.

JASON G. HUNT, 45, a specialist in computer graphics technology and photography, died May 2, 2013. He received a master’s degree from New York University and worked for several corporations before becoming an independent consultant for Star Company. An award-winning photographer, he was also an avid athlete and volunteer fireman. His parents survive, as do his twin brother, his sister, and a large extended family.

MARGARET E. ELKIND-VAN GELDER, an educator and counselor, died Jan. 30, 2014, at age 52. She received a master’s degree from the Bank Street College of Education. Survivors include her husband, Todd Van Gelder, two sons, her sister, and her brother.

JUSTINE JACOBY COOK, 53, a former casting director and production manager, died Nov. 7, 2013. She worked as a casting director for film and television in Hollywood and later as a production manager for the Marat Daukayev School of Ballet in Los Angeles. Her husband, Douglas Cook, and two children survive.

PATRICK W. KOCIAN, 50, a labor attorney, died March 29, 2007. He was a member of Alpha Delta Phi. He received his law degree from New York University. Among those who survive is a sister.

MARIDZA ACABA MARTINEZ died of cervical cancer Mar. 9, 2003 at age 45. A college counselor at Chelsea High School in New York City and a U.S. Army veteran, she received a master’s degree from City University of New York. Known for her commitment to her students and for her keen sense of understanding, she worked tirelessly on their behalf. Among those who survive are her son, Angel Daniel Martinez, and her longtime companion, Albert Robinson.

DARYLE R. WALL, a writer and poet, died Apr. 22, 2007, at age 48. A writer for the United Negro College Fund and for Con Edison, at the time of his death he was working on a collection of poetry. His father predeceased him, and he is survived by his mother, Tina Wall, a sister, two godchildren, and a large extended family.

RICHARD H. VELAJ, M.D., a radiologist who specialized in neuroradiology, died Oct. 14, 2011, at age 52. He received his degree magna cum laude. After receiving his medical degree from Duke University, he trained at George Washington University and at Massachusetts General Hospital. He joined the Greenwich (Conn.) Radiological Group and the staff at Greenwich Hospital in 1990. In addition to Board certification in general radiology, he achieved additional Special Competence in neuroradiology. He was also a senior member of the Greenwich Hospital Peer Review Committee and president of the Greenwich Radiological Group. He is survived by his wife, Nicole Velaj, two daughters, his parents, and his brother.

JOHN H. STEEB, 36, died Apr. 20, 2004. A diverse musician, he played the bass, trumpet, double bass, and guitar. Among those who survive are his parents, his grandmother, and two sisters.