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Dr. Barry Commoner
Dr. Barry Commoner
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Barry Commoner Obituary
Commoner died Sunday afternoon at a Manhattan hospital, where he had been since Friday, said his wife, Lisa Feiner. He lived in Brooklyn Heights.
Commoner was an outspoken advocate for environmental issues. He was one of the founders of a well-known survey of baby teeth in St. Louis that started in the late 1950s. The survey assessed the levels of strontium-90 in the teeth and showed how children were absorbing radioactive fallout from nuclear bombs that were being tested.
The survey helped persuade government officials to partially ban some kinds of nuclear testing.
"He had a very strong belief that scientists had a social responsibility, that the discoveries would be used for social good, and that scientists also had an obligation to educate the public about scientific issues so that the public could make informed political decisions," Feiner said.
He took on that role of educating the public, writing books on environmental issues. Among his works were "Making Peace with the Planet" and "Science and Survival." He made the cover of Time magazine in early 1970 and ran for president as a third-party candidate in 1980.
He founded the Center for the Biology of Natural Systems at Washington University in St. Louis in 1966; he moved it to New York's Queens College in 1981 and headed it until 2000.
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Commoner went to Columbia University, majoring in zoology. He got his doctorate in cellular biology from Harvard University.
Along with his wife, survivors include his two children from his first marriage, Lucy Commoner and Frederic Commoner, and a granddaughter.
DEEPTI HAJELA,Associated Press
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
27 Entries
October 6, 2012
You have my deepest sympathy. May good memories provide solace for your family during this challenging time; and may God provide you with the assurance that you will see your loved one again in paradise. John 17:3
mark mega
October 5, 2012
may your work be an inspiration for generations yet unborn. Bravo.
Emma Jean
October 4, 2012
"May Jehovah God bless you and keep you. May he favor you. May he assign peace to you."(Numbers 6:24-26)
Sorry for your loss.
How you can show support
deb bouton
October 4, 2012
He was a hero in my book. I met him in the late 70s and so admired his efforts to educate people about nuclear power. He was a brilliant and principled man and we were so lucky to have him.
von holley
October 4, 2012
May the family and friends of Dr. Barry Commoner be comforted by the passage at Ecclesiates 7:1.
ms
October 3, 2012
My deepest condolences to the Commoner family. His contributions to humanity will be forever remembered and appreciated. May the God of peace be with you. Romans 15:33
Adriane Bishko
October 3, 2012
Barry Commoner was my botany professor at Washington University. He inspired us to believe that as individuals, we could have a real impact on the world around us. His lectures were riveting and very often at the end of class, we'd give him a standing ovation.
Wonderful professor and a great man. Dr. Commoner, we'll miss you profoundly.
PB (1Peter 5:6,7)
October 3, 2012
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Laura Green
October 3, 2012
I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.-John 14:18
May God's gentle peace fill your heart
and comfort your ...soul today and in the days to come,
With Deepest Sympathy,
Roberto Lovato
October 3, 2012
Dr. Commoner was a great American who fought for everyone on the planet Earth. Barry, we will all miss you. Thanks for everything that you tried to do for us. I worked on your run for the Whitehouse in 1980 and the Citizens Party.
October 3, 2012
To the the family of Dr. Barry Commoner - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that he will be missed by many.
Rod Sims
October 3, 2012
I didn't like Reagan or Carter, so I voted for the ideas presented by this thoughtful man in 1980. I am glad I did.
October 3, 2012
May the God of comfort and peace be with your family in the days ahead.
Jill
October 3, 2012
May God bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Phillipians 4:7 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.-John 14:18
October 3, 2012
May the God of all comfort be with you at this time of grief, may all his memories stay close to your heart. Psalms 46:1 Joanna
October 3, 2012
Offering my deepest condolences during this difficult time, I'm so very sorry for your loss, death is something we are never prepared for, but please find comfort in knowing God has promised He will do away with sickness, pain and death for His word is truth.
October 3, 2012
I was priviledged to hear him speak many years ago at Northeastern Ill University. The world is a poorer place now. Pat Hart
Marion Smith
October 2, 2012
Thank you, Dr Barry Commoner
We are all in your debt.
With gratitude......
Emma
October 2, 2012
My condolences to the family of this great man of science. Because of his efforts our planet is a safer, healthier place to live. We are so grateful he used his gifts to enrich the world, leaving a lasting legacy for our children and for future generations.
W Dolan-Garcia
October 2, 2012
Dr. Commoner, You were an amazing visionary, a man born before his time. Thank you for being my hero, teaching us all to treasure and take care of our earth for all of those who come after. Wishing his family peace in the knowledge of the positive impact he had on the entire world.
October 2, 2012
I voted for you back in the early 80's when you had a run for president. After reading what your plans would be to move our country away from the arms race, you made more sense than your opponents. Wish that you had won...the world might be in better shape. Rest in peace Barry..your contributions were massive.
Sharon Peyser
October 2, 2012
You are an inspiration to all of us who care about the Earth. Your unwavering dedication to social justice in all its forms is your enduring legacy. We will miss you!
Will Stockwin
October 2, 2012
A great environmentalist's voice is stilled, but he will never be forgotten ... "Everything is connected to everything else; everything must go somewhere; nature knows best; and there is no such thing as a free lunch." Indeed.
Solomon Mekonen
October 2, 2012
Dr. Commener, rest in peace. You have done a great job in life. I wish the familiy of Dr. Commener relief in God.
km
October 2, 2012
God bless you, for being the steward of our earth. we are always indebted to you, always.
ER
October 2, 2012
Thank you, Dr. Commoner, for making our Earth safer, cleaner, and more livable into tomorrow. You exemplify the best that science has to offer the world. Condolences to your family, friends, colleagues and admirers.
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