Dr. Michel K. Ochi, Professor Emeritus in the Civil and Coastal Engineering Department at the University of Florida, passed away Saturday morning April 13, 2013 at the age of 92. Dr. Ochi joined the UF faculty in 1979 after 21 years with the US Navy’s Naval Ship Research and Development Center near Washington, D.C. where he was a Research Scientist. He had two doctorate degrees, one in Naval Architecture from Osaka Imperial University and one in Mathematical Statistics from American University. He also received an Honorary Doctor of Engineering Degree from the University of Genoa, Italy. He was a Fellow in the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME) and the Royal Institute of Naval Architects and also a member of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He was the recipient of a number of awards including the Davidson Medal and the Linnard Prize from the SNAME and the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award. He was the author of in excess of 100 technical publications including three books and one monograph. He developed graduate level courses in ocean waves.  He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Margaret Duke Ochi, who was the Supervisor of Naval Architects at the Naval Ship Research and Development Center prior to her retirement in 1980.

The date and time of a memorial service for Dr. Ochi will be announced when the plans have been finalized.