Kirk Sattley Memorial Fund

Kirk Sattley, a Wakefield resident for 25 years, died in August 2002. He was born in 1928 in Chicago, IL. He attended college at the University of Chicago, where he obtained a PhD in 1947 and a SB in 1950, doing graduate work in the Department of Mathematics and studying linguistics. After serving with the US Army Intelligence Corps in Germany, he traveled for two years, acquiring practical experience in European languages before returning to the University of Chicago where he spent the next five years as a computer programmer.

In 1961, Mr. Sattley joined a small, newly formed company that did research at the cutting edge of systems software technology. His work was initially in “syntax-directed” compiler design and development. His company produced the design of one of the first multi-processor operating systems. Toward the end of his career, Kirk worked on programming environments for the computer language ADA.

A theme throughout his life was his dual interest in computer programming and linguistics. His hobbies included amateur radio, flying single and multi-engine aircraft, traveling, listening to classical music, reading and following televised international news in German, French, Italian, Spanish and Russian.

He was married for 35 years to Joanne (Zervas) Sattley and he left a son, Theodore J. Sattley. This fund has a preference for students who will either attend the University of Chicago, or who will study linguistics, mathematics or science.