Douglas Edward Magnoli

Douglas Edward Magnoli, of Pleasanton, died July 29. He was 61.

Born and raised in Pittsburg, California, he graduated as De La Salle High School's valedictorian in 1971. He then attended Yale University, graduating in 1975 with a bachelor of science, followed by graduate school at UCLA where he earned his Ph.D. in chemistry in 1980.

After teaching chemistry while earning his Ph.D., he entered the workforce as an analyst for the Center for Naval Analyses (CNA) in Alexandria, Virginia. After two years in Virginia, he transferred to the CNA offices in Coronado, California where he spent two more years before joining the Livermore National Laboratory in 1982 as a physicist/analyst. He worked on many interesting and important projects at the lab and contributed information leading to the Ottawa Treaty (which addressed banning use, stockpiling, production and transfer of anti-personnel mines). Doug retired after 20 years at LLNL.

He was passionate about worldly culture, language, literature and cuisine, broadening the horizons of his family and friends with stories of his travels and knowledge from his studies. He also loved music and played many different instruments, including the organ, which he played for the St. David's Episcopal parish.

Doug traveled the world, making lifelong friends as he studied in Prague and vacationed with friends and family throughout Europe, Asia, the Americas and places too numerous to mention. The people he met throughout his travels many times offered for him to return to their countries and stay with them, meeting their families and touching the lives of all those around him with his great presence and charisma.

Before traveling to foreign countries, he would check out countless books from the Pleasanton Library to help him learn the native languages and cultural norms of the places he was to visit.

Doug is survived by his parents, Camilla and Edward of Pleasanton; brother Marc (Lynden) of Connecticut and sister Lisa (Tom Horrillo) of Dublin, California; along with his nieces and nephew, Kendal, Kagan and Carmine Magnoli and Kristin Horrillo. He is also survived by countless friends throughout the world.

Donations can be made to the Friends of the Pleasanton Library, 400 Old Bernal Avenue, Pleasanton, CA 94566.