Hugh graduated from UC Berkeley in 1953, earning degrees in chemistry, humanities and a teaching certification. He served in the U.S. Navy before enrolling at UCLA to get his master’s degree in education in 1960. Hugh taught high school chemistry and physics for many years. He says he followed in his dad’s footsteps: His father got his chemistry degree at Berkeley in 1919.

Hugh met Aletha on a blind date while she was studying merchandising at Mills College in Oakland. The couple married the day after Aletha graduated in 1954. They have three children, four grandchildren, and “a grand group of great-grandkids,” Hugh jokes. They have called Napa home since 1964.

Hugh and Aletha give to the College of Chemistry, the Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Library, the University Library, and the School of Education.

“I attended Cal during a time where we only had what were called incidental fees,” Hugh notes. “It was a low cost per semester. Now with the high costs of tuition and other expenses, we must support our students and help keep the university the wonderful place that it is, so it’s always improving.”