David S. Saxon, a physics scholar who rose through academia at UCLA to become president of the University of California and, subsequently, leader of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, died last month after a lengthy illness. The Minnesota native was 85.

Saxon joined the UCLA faculty in 1947 as assistant professor of theoretical nuclear physics. He was appointed dean of life sciences before being named to UCLA’s top academic post, now known as executive vice chancellor.

He left UCLA to become provost of the University in 1974 and served as UC president from 1975 to 1983. He was chairman of the MIT Corp. from 1983 to 1990.

“California, and the University of California, have lost a great leader in David Saxon,” said UC President Robert C. Dynes. “David was a passionate believer in the University and, during a period of severe fiscal challenge, a tireless advocate for public higher education. He was a man of principle and vision whose outstanding scholarship and thoughtful leadership made a lasting contribution to the University and the state.”