Dr. Kevin Shoemaker

October 25, 2023

Kevin Richard Shoemaker, a brilliant and meticulous scientist who also garnered a wide circle of friends through his quick wit and empathic listening, died on October 25, 2023.

His life partner, Bill Harris, whose devotion to Kevin was steadfast during his five-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, was at his side when he died at the Legacy Reserve at the Fritz Farm Memory Center in Lexington, Kentucky. He was 62.

Kevin parlayed a stellar educational background into a long career in the biotechnical and pharmaceutical industries, partnering with scientists around the globe to improve the quality of life for patients suffering from unmet medical needs. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kevin was the son of the late Mary and Walter Shoemaker of the White Oak area of Cincinnati. He crisscrossed the country in pursuit of education and career goals as well as in his thirst for pure fun. He eventually considered San Francisco home.

He was salutatorian of Xavier High School, a Jesuit school in Cincinnati. There, he was a writer for the school newspaper and co-editor of the senior yearbook. He won the Chemistry Award at graduation, setting him on a course for a career in biochemistry.

He attended Cornell University, graduating magna cum laude in chemistry. His affection for his living quarters at the Phillips House Cooperative as well as for the college alma mater song “Far Above Cayuga’s Waters” stayed with him for life. He began graduate studies at Stanford University, where he earned his Ph.D. in the biochemistry department. His postdoctoral work was at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he studied in Dr. Robert Sauer’s famed laboratory focused on protein structure. His colleagues recalled that his amazing sense of humor coupled with his sparkling brilliance lifted the level of scientific rigor in the lab and helped forge close connections among colleagues.

After leaving MIT, Kevin began work as a project lead in drug discovery at Chiron/Novartis, the multinational firm based in Emeryville, California, that is engaged in biopharmaceuticals, vaccines and blood testing. His colleagues described his unique ability to absorb and distill all available information as he led the team in the best possible direction. Not surprisingly with his scientific bent, Kevin had a penchant for being on the leading edge of technology and gadgetry. He had the latest Internet tools, knowledge of “cool” sites and online tools and the know-how to use and share them. But his intellectual pursuits never overshadowed his irrepressible penchant for laughter and entertainment, with Halloween being a sure bet for both. At a memorable Halloween office party in Boston, he dressed as a Blue Man of the famed art ensemble, wearing a blue bodysuit and blue mask, and in the Blue Man tradition, remaining mute. At Chiron, he won one of the Halloween costume contests as the best, albeit skinny, Elvis impersonator.

He loved dance, music and song and had season tickets to numerous San Francisco theaters and modern dance troupes. He especially liked country music along with the long lines of folksy contra dancing. He also was a self- described “foodie,” a frequent excuse for many weekend excursions.

In addition to his parents, Kevin was preceded in death by his only brother, John (Jack) Shoemaker. Besides his life partner, Bill Harris of Lexington, he is survived by nephews John, Steve and Brian Shoemaker of North College Hill, near Cincinnati. Kevin’s family will forever be grateful for the Legacy Reserve staff who treated Kevin and Bill as if they were their own family. Bill is especially thankful for Kevin’s private attendants during his last days.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be appreciated for the longtime performing arts venue where Kevin was a frequent visitor, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, Berkeley, California 94704.

A celebration of Kevin’s remarkable life will be held in the future.