BUCHLER, JEAN ROBERT
Gainesville - Jean Robert Buchler, Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Florida, passed away on Tuesday, October 16, 2012.
Born in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on April 4, 1942, he obtained his undergraduate degree in physics "avec la plus grande distinction" from the Université de Liège, Belgium in 1965, followed by a Ph.D. in physics from the University of California at San Diego in 1969. He began his career at the California Institute of Technology and later joined the University of Florida in 1974 rising to the rank of professor in 1980.
He published more than 200 articles in scientific journals in English, French and even Latin. Early in his career, he made seminal contributions to understanding the mechanism which produces supernovae, the brightest objects in the sky. Later he turned his energy to the study of pulsating stars and fluid dynamics. He was an enthusiastic teacher, especially in developing and using lively demonstrations to illustrate important physics concepts to undergraduates.
An avid traveler, a connoisseur of fine cuisines and wines, Robert was a man of many interests ranging from playing the flute, to hiking, bicycling and flying airplanes. He will be sorely missed by his family, friends and colleagues in the physics and astronomy departments.
He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Danièle; sons, Nicolas (Gisela), Norbou (Emily) and Yasha; granddaughters, Eloise, Natasha and Beatrice; his mother, Emma Buchler; and his brother, Guy Buchler. He was preceded in death by his father, Lucien Buchler.
A celebration of life service will be held on Sunday, October 21, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Baughman Center on the campus of the University of Florida. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Department of Physics, with "in memory of Robert Buchler" written on the check and sent to: Chair, Dept. of Physics, P.O. Box 118440, Gainesville, FL 32611. These contributions will be used to support "Physics is Fun" demonstrations at local schools.
Published in Gainesville Sun from October 19 to October 20, 2012
