Ian B. Rhodes

Ian B Rhodes, Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UCSB, passed away peacefully at Serenity House surrounded by his loving family on June 28, 2019. He was 78 years old.

Ian was a proud and loving father and stepfather and an enthusiastic grandfather. He will be greatly missed by his wife and partner of more than 30 years, Pam Maines, and their blended family, including his children Kathie Rhodes (Roger King), Kim Harrison (Damon) and Andrew Rhodes (Leandra), as well as Pam’s sons Devon Ostendorf (Jill) and Dylan Ostendorf (Veronika), and 13 grandchildren (Kaden, Adrienne, Zoe, Kinsey, Alecksei, Colin, Eliza, Amelia, Avery, Owen, Lyla, Wylie and Chloe). He will also be fondly remembered by Alison Rhodes Tamminga, to whom he was married for 20 years.

A native of Australia and graduate of the University of Melbourne, Ian came to the United States to attend graduate school at Stanford University, then taught at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Washington University in St. Louis prior to coming to UCSB in 1979. He loved teaching and mentoring graduate students and was a popular professor.

Ian loved building things, from his stereo system “Lungcrusher” to the house in Goleta he loved for its sunny decks and ever-changing views of the mountains. He also loved to travel, and over the past 25 years he and Pam hiked in the Alps, toured the British Isles and visited many European countries as well as Australia and New Zealand.

In his retirement years Ian enjoyed walking at local beaches, participating in water aerobics and other classes, letterpress printing, attending jazz and classical performances and volunteering for Santa Barbara Village and at the visitor center atop the Maritime Museum. His greatest pleasure was to enjoy the company of family and friends, especially coupled with a delicious meal, a nice bottle of wine, and interesting conversation.

At his request, no public services will be held. A family celebration of his life will be held later this year.