Worth E. Vaughan *60

Worth died Jan. 3, 2026, of cancer in Madison, Wis., at the age of 89.

Born in New York, Feb. 1, 1939, he graduated from Oberlin with a degree in chemistry in 1957 and earned a Ph.D. in chemistry from Princeton in 1960.

After Princeton, he joined the faculty at the Department of Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he dedicated 40 years to teaching, mentorship, and research. Worth specialized in physical chemistry, with a particular focus on dielectric properties and molecular behavior. His research resulted in 60 published papers and several patents.

Worth was renowned in the world of competitive bridge and was the first player in the Madison area to achieve life master status. His skill culminated in achieving platinum life master status, and he crossed the significant milestone of 15,000 masterpoints early in 2025.

Worth is survived by his wife, Diane; their son; and three of Diane’s children from a previous marriage.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.