Orval Telford Ellsworth, 77, passed away in the arms of his wife Monajo and surrounded by his children and grandchildren, in his home on July 26, 2011.

Born Dec. 3, 1933 to Miriam and Heber Ellsworth in Lubbock, Texas, he graduated from UC Berkley in 1958 with a degree in behavioral and biomedical sciences and received a doctorate’s degree from UCLA Medical School.

He taught at Georgetown and Stanford Universities, UC San Jose, Cal State U, and Foothill College, and later worked as a human factors consultant.

Over the course of his life he took out four U.S. patents in medical-related technology, and had an analytical, creative mind that was brilliant to the end.

Orval deeply loved his Whidbey home and the island people that became his friends. He was married the love of his life, Monajo, for 51 years and he was a wonderful parent to his four children and beloved grandparent to 13 grandchildren.

In addition to his family, Orval loved science, humor, music, photography, and chocolate. He was unfailingly kind and many have benefited from his unique ability to make difficult concepts clear. Even in his final days, he made efforts to teach and bless his family and friends, providing all with an unforgettable example of how to live life, even in the midst of pain and difficulties. It is the legacy of his life that in the end, he was surrounded by laughter and love.