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In Memoriam: Robert Bau

By Susan Andrews on January 7, 2009 2:17 PM

  • In Memoriam: Robert Bau
  • A special tribute is planned March 19 during a previously scheduled symposium in Bau's honor at USC’s Seeley G. Mudd Auditorium.

Robert Bau, an esteemed faculty member of USC College’s chemistry department for nearly 40 years, died Dec. 28. He was a distinguished researcher in the field of X-ray and neutron diffraction crystallography.

“Professor Bau was an outstanding scholar, gifted teacher and wonderful colleague. His untimely passing is a great loss for our department and the College,” said Charles McKenna, professor of chemistry and department chair.

Bau was the recipient of numerous awards, including fellowships from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (1982) and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (1974-76); the Alexander van Humboldt Foundation U.S. Senior Scientist Award (1985); and an NIH Research Career Development Award (1975-80). He was president of the American Crystallographic Association in 2006.

Bau, an inspiring and popular instructor, received USC Associate Awards for Excellence in Research (1979) and Excellence in Teaching (1974).

USC College alumnus Raymond Stevens, currently professor of chemistry and molecular biology at The Scripps Research Institute in La Jolla, earned a Ph.D. in chemistry under Bau’s guidance and considers him to be one of his most important influences, scientifically and professionally.

“Bob Bau was an incredible adviser and mentor. He had just the right touch of letting a student learn scientific independence,” Stevens said. “If we could take one lesson away from Bob, it would be the balance of mentoring strong independence and gentle guidance that is so difficult to achieve.”

Bau is survived by his wife, Margaret Churchill; three children from his first marriage; and his mother, Maria Lourdes Bau, in Hong Kong.

A funeral mass will be held Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Risen Christ Chapel at Holy Cross Cemetery, 5835 W. Slauson Ave., Culver City. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Robert Bau Memorial Fund at the department of chemistry.

A special tribute is planned March 19 during a previously scheduled symposium in his honor at USC’s Seeley G. Mudd Auditorium.