Space Traveler, CMU Trustee Glen de Vries Dies in Crash of Small Plane

Nov. 13—A member of the Carnegie Mellon University Board of Trustees who only last month fulfilled a dream of venturing into space — traveling aboard the Blue Origin spacecraft that also carried actor William Shatner — died Thursday in the crash of a small private plane in a wooded area of northern New Jersey.

Glen de Vries, a visionary man of science who was recognized for his enthusiasm and generosity, was 49.

A 1994 graduate of the Mellon College of Science with a degree in molecular biology and genetics, Mr. de Vries was co-founder of Medidata Solutions, the most-used cloud platform in the world for life sciences research and clinical development, and served as its president. He also was recently named the chair of CMU's Make Possible campaign.

"The entire Carnegie Mellon University community is devastated by the loss of alumnus and trustee Glen de Vries, and our hearts go out to his family, friends and loved ones," CMU President Farnam Jahanian said in a news release Friday. "Glen was one of CMU's greatest champions and advocates, especially for the future of science initiative at the university. His passing is a profound loss for this community and for a world that has already benefited so much from his brilliance and compassion."

Mr. de Vries had hoped to be aboard Blue Origin's first launch of the New Shepard spacecraft with humans aboard in July and took part in an auction for one of the seats. He ended up purchasing a seat on the craft's second trip.

"Playing a part in advancing the space industry and one day making those resources and that understanding available to everyone is an incredible opportunity," Mr. de Vries said before his flight. "I've been passionate about aviation and space for as long as I can remember, so this flight is truly a dream come true."

His 10-minute trip into weightlessness took place Oct. 13.

"It's going to take me a while to be able to describe it. It was incredible," Mr. de Vries said as he got his Blue Origin "astronaut wings" pinned onto his blue flight suit by Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos upon returning to Earth.

"We are devastated to hear of the sudden passing of Glen de Vries," Blue Origin tweeted Friday. "He brought so much life and energy to the entire Blue Origin team and to his fellow crewmates. His passion for aviation, his charitable work, and his dedication to his craft will long be revered and admired."

Authorities said Mr. de Vries, who lived in New York City, was aboard a single-engine Cessna 172 with Thomas P. Fischer, 54, of Hopatcong, N.J., flying from Essex County Airport in Caldwell, N.J., on the edge of the New York City area, to Sussex Airport in a rural northwestern part of the state when the plane went missing Thursday afternoon.

The Federal Aviation Administration alerted public safety agencies to look for the plane about 3 p.m. Emergency crews found the wreckage in Hampton Township about 4 p.m.

Mr. de Vries was an instrument-rated private pilot, and Mr. Fischer owned a flight school. Authorities had not said who was piloting the plane. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

CMU's Mr. Jahanian, in a message to the university community Friday, hailed Mr. de Vries as "our dear friend, and a truly brilliant and kind person."

Before co-founding Medidata, Mr. de Vries worked as a research scientist at the Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, a position that came about after he connected with a CMU alumnus while working as a student for the university's Telefund. Mr. Jahanian said it was a story Mr. de Vries "was proud to tell."

He also studied computer science at New York University's Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and was the vice chair of life sciences and health care at Dassault Systemes, which acquired Medidata in 2019.

"He was one of CMU's greatest champions and advocates, especially for the future of science initiative at the university," Mr. Jahanian said. "He served as a member of the Mellon College of Science Dean's Council and in 2017 he endowed the dean's chair currently held by Rebecca Doerge. He also provided support for graduate student fellowships and for the university's health and wellness initiative."

" Glen de Vries was a champion for science. He shared Carnegie Mellon and the Mellon College of Science's vision for a technology-driven future of science and rallied support for this vision everywhere he went," said Ms. Doerge, the inaugural Glen de Vries Dean of the Mellon College of Science. "What he has done for the university over the years has been truly transformational. Glen's legacy will live on through everything the Mellon College of Science accomplishes now and into the future."

In recognition of his contributions, the university in 2017 honored Mr. de Vries with its Alumni Achievement Award.

"CMU had a profound effect on me, personally and professionally," Mr. de Vries said at the ceremony honoring him. "It is an incredible privilege to support the university, and to help perpetuate the dynamic learning environment."

"Glen loved Carnegie Mellon, and believed with every fiber of his being in the important work being done here," said David Coulter, chair of the CMU Board of Trustees. "The loss of one of our greatest advocates, and a friend to so many in this community, is devastating."

Mr. Jahanian noted that upon his return from space, Mr. de Vries "described his plan to 'make advancing the democratization of space part of my mission for the balance of my life,'" which he said "reflects Glen's passion for bringing the power of science and knowledge to others."

"To be in Glen's presence was to be immersed in his exuberance and zest for life, and I am filled with tremendous sorrow that we will no longer be able to experience this gift or share it with others," Mr. Jahanian said.

Mr. Bezos' girlfriend, Lauren Sanchez, posted a tribute to Mr. de Vries on her Instagram on Friday.

"Such a painful loss today," she wrote in the caption. "We got to know Glen de Vries, an incredible man, and his partner Leah last month. Leah's love for Glen was visible every time we saw them together. When he took off for space she gripped my hand so tight it hurt. Thinking of that moment today with a broken heart. Our deepest sympathies go out to Leah and Glen's family, we are so saddened by the tragic news."

Mr. de Vries also was a Columbia HITLAB Fellow, a member of the Healthcare Businesswomen's Association European Advisory Board, and served on the board of the Young Scientist Foundation, which prepares high school students for success at the university level through training and mentorship.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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