by Professors Al Courey, Cathy Clarke, and Steve Clarke
Our beloved colleague Emeritus Professor Charles A. West passed away on May 5 in Houston, Texas, at the age of 98. Charles West arrived at UCLA in 1952 and was the second biochemist in the department. By the time he retired in the early 1990s, there were 18 biochemists, and Charlie played a major role in recruiting most of them.
Recognized internationally for his expertise in the biosynthesis and regulation of plant hormones and secondary metabolites of the isoprenoid family that are important for resistance to disease, West’s research provided an understanding of how stress responses in plants allow them to deal with pathogens in their environment. In more than 80 papers published with over 50 Ph.D. students and postdoctoral fellows, West opened new areas of research into the ways antibiotic phytoalexins are made, especially those that protect plants from fungal invasion.
West was more than generous with his time and was one of UCLA’s most trusted and able administrators. He served as Vice-Chair and Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Acting Dean of the UCLA Division of Physical Sciences. He was always sought after to be a member and chair Academic Senate, College, and Department committees, and his wisdom and expertise were often called upon in chairing faculty search committees and award committees. Charlie was such a warm and wonderful colleague and kind soul. He was a terrific spokesperson for the biochemists and a great mentor who was always looking out for the assistant profs he hired! He was also an inspiring teacher known for his lucid lectures and the way he engaged his students.
The department endowed fund, “Daniel Atkinson & Charles West Prizes in Metabolic Biochemistry,” was established in 2016 to honor him and his colleague Daniel E. Atkinson, with donations from his colleagues, students, and friends, as well as matching Jung funds. This endowment now funds annual prizes for undergraduates and graduate students and summer undergraduate research fellowships.
He stayed active at UCLA after retirement, serving on the Phi Beta Kappa Council, the Program Committee and the Executive Board of the UCLA Emeriti Association, and the Chemistry/Molecular Biology Institute Postdoctoral Awards Selection Committee. In 2016 Charlie and his wife Carol (who passed away in 2017) relocated to Houston to be closer to family. Charlie is survived by his sons Jeffrey (Karin) of Houston, Texas and David (Jada) of Weehawken, New Jersey, grandchildren Hillary, Nelson, and Chase, and great-granddaughters Aria and Isabella.
Contributions in honor of West can be made to the UCLA Atkinson-West fund, which supports undergraduate research fellowships and related opportunities.
A memorial service will be held for Charles at Westwood Presbyterian Church, located at 10822 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024, on August 22, 2026, at 2:00 PM.
Penny Jennings, UCLA Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, penjen@g.ucla.edu.
