Gregory S. Kavka ’68

Greg Kavka, a distinguished philosophy professor at U.C.-Irvine, died of cancer Feb. 16, 1994, leaving his wife, Virginia L. Warren; his daughter, Amber; and a legacy as an outstanding teacher.

Greg's illness was first diagnosed in 1984, but he fought it for three years until it went into remission. It recurred in Dec. 1993. Greg didn't let his illness diminish his love and enthusiasm for his family, his students, or his scholarship.

Greg prepared at Univ. of Chicago H.S. At Princeton, he majored in philosophy, was active in Whig­Clio, and was a member of Terrace Club.

Greg got his Ph.D. at the Univ. of Michigan in 1973. He taught at U.C.L.A. from 1972-79 and at U.C.- Irvine until his death. He wrote two important books, Hobbesian Moral and Political Theory and Moral Paradoxes of Nuclear Deterrence. His second book helped establish the morality of nuclear deterrence as a new subfield in applied ethics. He also published more than 50 articles and reviews.

Greg was known as a marvelous teacher who cared deeply about his students and devoted enormous amounts of time to them. Greg's colleagues established a fund to support young philosophy scholars. Contributions may be sent to U.C.I. Foundation-Greg Kavka Memorial Fund, Dept. of Philosophy, U.C.-Irvine, Irvine, CA 92717.