Dr. Keith Schofield, Professor Emeritus at UC Santa Barbara and CEO of ChemData Research, Inc transitioned to eternal life Sunday, April 21, 2024 after a courageous battle with vascular Parkinson’s disease. He passed peacefully in the presence of his loving wife of 30 years, Kay Robinson-Schofield.
Keith’s life was well-lived, as a scientist and as a devoted Christian. Born in Derby, England, in 1938 to young parents Peggy Hewitt and Kenneth Schofield, Keith never forgot the war Blitz and the struggle for necessities to survive the war years.
As a young student, Keith stood out with his insatiable curiosity and penchant for science.
Knowing his parents couldn’t afford college, Keith reluctantly sat for the entrance exam to Cambridge at the urging of his high school chemistry teacher. He scored magnificently and received scholarships for college, masters and Ph.D. programs.
Keith amazed his professors in his oral exams for his Ph.D. as he was the highest scorer, legendary to this day with highest honors in chemistry. Keith’s professors at Cambridge included the renown Sir T.M. Sugden in physical chemistry and several Nobel laureates.
Keith’s career brought him to America, where he worked with the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado; General Motors Defense Research Laboratories and many years at the UC Santa Barbara in the Physical Chemistry Department and Materials Research Laboratory.
Once emeritus at UCSB, Keith founded ChemData Research, Inc where he patented his scientific findings in the natural behavior of mercury and a blood panel to detect toxic neurotoxins in blood.
Keith wrote numerous academic research papers focusing on the role of heterogenous chemistry in the behavior of trace metals in combustion systems. For 20 years, he published in the Department of Energy bimonthly Combustion Research Bulletin.
Keith wrote the book “Combustion Emissions” on the formation, reaction and removal of trace metals in combustion products. He was a member of the Combustion Institute, American Chemical Society, American Physical Society, and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
A deeply committed Christian, Keith lived his life loving his family and friends and using his scientific findings to make the world a safer place. He treasured his time in nature, often leading hikes for the Sierra Club in the Santa Barbara hills.
Referred to by his grandkids as “Dr. Brow,” Keith, with his wildly long eyebrows, especially loved the Halloween Hike and donned a witch hat while sharing his crisp British accent with his fellow hikers.
Foremost in Keith’s heart and brilliant mind was his fascination with mercury and how his discoveries could make toxic mercury air pollution less of a threat to all living things. He observed, researched and proved that the many neurological ailments of mankind are related to mercury emissions. His work continues through those who recognized his discoveries.
Keith was preceded in death by his daughter Clare Godfrey. He is survived by his wife Kay Robinson-Schofield; his first wife Gwen Schofield; his son Jeremy Schofield and wife Alison and their children Jack, Scott, James and Oliver Schofield; Keith’s daughter Anne Clapp and her husband Lawrence and their children Matthew, Elizabeth Clapp Hostetter, Sean and Katherine Clapp; and Keith’s stepdaughter Kamala Parris and her husband William Parris and their children Tianna, Celine, Amara and Brolin Parris.
Keith’s family thanks all who shared prayers, love and support during this time of loss. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Keith’s memory with donations to Santa Barbara Rescue Mission and to Summerland Presbyterian Church.
Dr. Keith Schofield will be laid to rest at the Santa Barbara Cemetery, a memorial service will be held on at 11 a.m. Saturday June 1 at Summerland Presbyterian Church, 2400 Lillie Ave., Summerland.
For those unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed and then posted afterward on the church’s website.