Lasting Memories

Alexander Charles Andrew Fodor
Feb. 2, 1988-Nov. 4, 2018
Palo Alto, California

Alexander (Zander) Fodor passed away Nov. 4, 2018 on the Sonoma Coast. Alexander was studying developmental biology at the University of Washington and planning a future with his girlfriend when he suffered a tragic accident. Zander will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues.

Zander was born in Berkeley and moved with his family to Palo Alto in 1989 where he grew into a young man full of character with a zest for life. As a child, Alexander loved all aspects of nature and was always finding and helping lost animals. After graduating from Palo Alto High School in 2006, he attended Franklin and Marshall College where he studied Biology and Evolution. His passion and love of animals drove an ambition to be near the sea and pursue research in invertebrate biology. He entered the graduate program in Biology at the University of Washington where he completed his Master of Science and was pursuing a doctorate studying tunicate development at Friday Harbor Laboratories. Zander especially enjoyed teaching younger students and exploring biodiversity and research with the many visitors of Friday Harbor.

Alexander is survived by two brothers, Nicholas and Lucas; his mother and father, Janelle and Stephen; grandparents, Waldene and Larry Benoit; partner Teresa Schaut and many loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

From Jason Macrander & Jasmine Mah
Dec. 9, 2018

Zander was a such a kind and generous person. We are deeply saddened by hearing of his passing. He was an overall delightful person to be around and fantastic scientist. We really got to know each other over the past few years and would commiserate and congratulate one another at every scientific meeting that we'd all attend, which led to the formation of our non-existent band. Every year at SICB we'd take crappy album cover photos (like the one attached). We're very sad to lose Zander.

From James Murray
Dec. 7, 2018

Heartbreaking. He was a pleasure to know. Always excited for science, as well as ice cream and capture the flag.

From James Murray
Dec. 7, 2018

Heartbreaking. He was a pleasure to know. Always excited for science, as well as ice cream and capture the flag.

From Billie J. Swalla
Dec. 6, 2018

Zander was one of my graduate students and I worked closely with him for six years. He was kind, honest and brilliant, and excelled in his research. He was also a great teacher and generous with his time and talents. The University of Washington's Department of Biology and Friday Harbor Laboratories will miss him greatly. We are so sad at the loss of this remarkable young man.