Anti-nuclear activist became professor at UH late in life

At age 69, when most people are retiring, Alice Dash Scheuer returned to school to pursue a doctorate degree in psychology and prepare for her new career as a professor at the University of Hawaii.

"There was simply no doubt that Alice had a determination," said friend and colleague Anthony Marsella.

Scheuer, of Manoa, died Aug. 8. She was 90.

Born in Baltimore, Scheuer served in military intelligence with the Women’s Army Corps during World War II. She then attended Radcliffe College, where she met Paul Scheuer, who would later pioneer a new branch of marine chemistry.

The couple married in September 1950 and sailed to Hawaii on the Lurline ocean liner after her husband accepted a position with UH’s Chemistry Department.

The first chemist to chronicle the compounds produced by sea life, Paul Scheuer, who died in 2003, was known as the "father of marine natural product chemistry."

Alice Scheuer earned a master’s degree in English and taught at UH before she took time off to raise her four children.

In 1992 she returned to the university to earn her doctorate, and went on to become a UH professor in psychology.

"She was truly brilliant," said son Jonathan Scheuer. "She was quite a phenomenal and amazing person."

Marsella, a retired UH psychology professor, described Scheuer as kind and whimsical.

"She was good-hearted. If being good is healing, then she would be a most wanted healer," he said.

During the 1970s, Scheuer helped organize protests as part of the anti-nuclear movement.

"Alice was a social activist by nature, helping others whenever she could and speaking out against injustice. She was fearless when it came to issues of liberty — it was in her Scottish blood," he said.

Scheuer is also survived by son David, daughters Elizabeth Carlson and Deborah Haeker, and two grandsons.

A memorial service will be held Sept. 21 at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Visitation starts at 1 p.m. followed by the service at 2 p.m. Private interment of ashes will follow.