Sayers Memorial Fund Established

Family and friends of Dale Edward Sayers have established a fund in his memory. Sayers, professor of physics, died Nov. 25, 2004 following an unexpected illness.

Sayers earned his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley; and his Master’s and Ph.D. at the University of Washington. He joined the North Carolina State University physics faculty in 1976.

His research centered on the development of a new analytical technique, extended x-ray absorption fine structure, or EXAFS. His work opened a new field of research that completed its 12th bi-annual meeting in Sweden in 2003.

Recently, he was affiliated with a team that discovered a new x-ray technique, called diffraction-enhanced imaging that may become a new tool for mammography, osteoarthritis investigations and bone density studies.

Sayers earned a number of national and international awards including the Bertram Warren Award of the American Crystallographic Association; the Centennial Scholar Award of Case Western Reserve University; and the Outstanding Achievement Award of the International XAFS society.

At NC State, Sayers was honored with the University Libraries faculty Award and the Alumni Association’s Outstanding Research Award. He was a Fellow of the American Physical Society, and held positions as visiting professor/scientist at several international institutions.

Although his vision in scientific and administrative matters was broad, his genius lay in his ability to implement strategies and projects on a level that was responsive to immediate needs. His personal integrity, humor, and comfortable communicative style permeated his life from teaching 18 year olds to heading world-renowned research teams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dale E. Sayers Fund, c/o PAMS Foundation, Campus Box 8201, NC State, Raleigh, NC 27695.  You may also submit contributions through our secure online gift form.  The fund will support a graduate student fellowship at NC State, and an XAFS award in his name.  The Sayers family will be notified of contributions made to the fund.