Donald Guthrie

Donald Guthrie passed away peacefully on November 18, 2022, with family by his side. He was 89.

Don was born to Donald and Clair Guthrie in Eureka, CA, on July 8, 1933. Don graduated high school at 16 and subsequently graduated from Stanford University. He went on to complete an MA in mathematical statistics from Columbia University and returned to Stanford to earn his PhD in statistics. Over the many decades of his career, Don taught and researched at several institutions, most notably Oregon State University and the University of California at Los Angeles.

Throughout his career, Don was an innovator in the use of modern computing in statistics. His research and publications primarily examined child psychiatry and statistical computing. His love of baseball crept into his work, as well, including the editing of a special section related to statistics in sports in the Journal of the American Statistical Association. While research was important, his energy centered on mentorship. At OSU, he served as the major adviser for six of the first eight PhD students to graduate from the department. In addition to a passion for baseball, Don became an avid runner, participating in numerous marathons.

He and the love of his life, Janet, were married in 1954, and they traveled the world after their children were grown, returning each time with an abundance of stories. They enjoyed symphonies and operas, and as they transitioned into retirement, Don and Janet moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington, to be closer to their family.

Don is survived by his wife Janet; sister Jean; children Don (Candace) and Sarah (Jon); grandchildren C.J. (Ryan), Donald “Jack” (Stephanie), and McCage (Jennifer); and great-grandchildren Corin and Rhys.

Written by Don’s family, this obituary is slightly condensed from the version in the April 2023 issue of Amstat News