In Memoriam: Michel K. Ochi

Dr. Michel K. Ochi, Professor Emeritus in the Department of Civil and Coastal Engineering at the University of Florida, Gainesville, passed on April 13, 2013, at age 92. Born in Japan, he moved permanently to the United States in 1958. He acquired two doctorate degrees, one in naval architecture from Osaka Imperial University and another in mathematical statistics from American University in Washington, DC.

Professor Ochi’s international academic renown had much to do with his superb work on the prediction of extreme waves critical to the design of ocean structures, including oil and gas facilities. He was the recipient of a number of scholastic awards, including the Davidson Medal and the Linnard Prize, both from the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), and the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. He also received an honorary doctorate in engineering from the University of Genoa, was a Fellow of SNAME and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects, and a member of ASCE.

During 1958–1979, Professor Ochi was a research scientist with the Naval Ship Research and Development Center near Washington, DC. In 1979, he joined the University of Florida as a professor in engineering and remained until his retirement. He was an excellent research guide and, most of all, greatly admired by students for his clear and precise teaching method in wave statistics and related subjects. An individual of upright character and professional honesty, his humor-filled company will be sadly missed by all who came to know him. He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Duke Ochi.