Alicia L. Opheim

Alicia L Opheim April 11, 1921 – April 8, 2017 Alicia Lenoire Perez Castaneda was born April 11, 1921, in Cerralvo, Nuevo Leon, Mexico to Dr. Alfonso and Maria Perez. She was the youngest of seven children and grew up helping with her father’s pharmacy and medical practice, learning about plants and art from her mother, and working on the family ranch. These influences led her to a lifetime love of science, learning, art, animals, and nature. At the age of 17, Alicia attended the University of Monterrey to study Chemistry, along with two of her sisters. After graduating she joined Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, Oklahoma in 1943 as a research chemist to work on developing synthetic rubber in support of the war effort. Alicia also received patents for her work with plastics. It was at Phillips she met Milton Opheim, her future husband, also a chemist and a former fighter pilot. They were married in 1949 and had two sons, Henrik Stuart and Charles Milton. When her sons became teenagers, Alicia began teaching, first in a junior high, then a high school, and then a community college. In 1976 she enrolled at Kansas State University, received her Ph.D. and became a professor. Although Alicia retired from KSU in 1998 she never stopped teaching, always sharing her knowledge of chemistry and languages. She also devoted her time to her garden, friends, and family, and taking frequent hikes through the woods near her home to a cemetery where she will rest. Alicia is survived by her two sons, Henrik Opheim of Manhattan, and Charles Opheim of Waco, Texas, many nieces, nephews and many dear friends, colleagues from KSU, and former students. Visitation will be from 9 am to 8 pm Thursday, April 19, at Irvin-Parkview Funeral Home, 1317 W. Poyntz Avenue. There will be a graveside service at 2 pm, Friday, April 20, at Sunrise Cemetery, followed by a reception in the home. Alicia always loved flowers but would prefer a donation to the Riley County Humane Society. For more information, to send an online condolence visit the funeral home website, irvinparkview.com