By Stephen Brooks | Originally Published: 12 hours ago |Modified: 12 hours ago |

Biochemistry professor Rawle Hollingsworth in his lab on Wednesday March 9, 2005.

During biochemistry professor Rawle Hollingsworths nearly 30 years at MSU, Tom Sharkey, chair of the biochemistry and molecular biology department, remembers having many conversations with him during casual run-ins outside the office.

One encounter sticks out in Sharkeys mind, who said he has a strong memory of listening to Hollingsworth explain carbohydrate involvement in blood types one day in the parking lot.

I was just fascinated to learn the things he was explaining, Sharkey said. Its just one of those moments in time that get frozen for reasons that you dont really know why.

Hollingsworth, a 55-year-old Haslett, Mich. resident, died from a pulmonary embolism on Feb. 29.

After completing his doctorate at the University of the West Indies in the Caribbean, Hollingsworth started as an assistant professor at MSU in 1983 and climbed the ranks to become a full professor.

I would say his enthusiasm really was the thing I continually think about when I think of him, Sharkey said.

Rawle Hollingsworth met his wife, Saleela Hollingsworth, at the University of the West Indies. The two were married for 26 years and had two children, Misha, 20, and Akhil, 15.

Saleela Hollingsworth said her husband loved traveling, reading and music and always put the childrens interests first.

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