Dr. Thomas Gonda of Stanford Dies at 65

STANFORD —  Dr. Thomas A. Gonda, chairman of the department of psychology at the Stanford University School of Medicine, died of a heart attack last week. He was 65.

Gonda was stricken at his home on the campus Wednesday evening and taken to Stanford University Hospital, where efforts to revive him failed.

Gonda had been a member of the Stanford faculty for 34 years and chaired the psychology department for more than 12 years. He was also a respected author and an expert on death and dying.

“He had a passionate commitment to this institution and he gave of himself unstintingly in its service,” said Dr. David Korn, vice president and dean of the School of Medicine.

Gonda was born in Austria and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1929. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Elizabeth Gonda, two sons, a daughter and three grandchildren. Memorial services were scheduled for Sept. 8.