Milestones

DIED. Charles F. Richter, 85, pioneer seismologist who between 1932 and 1935 helped devise the Richter scale, universally used to measure the magnitude of earthquakes; of coronary-artery disease; in Pasadena, Calif. Richter's interest in earthquakes was so great, he had a seismograph installed in his living room. In his final days, he avidly followed news reports on the Mexico City temblors from his hospital bed.