ROBERT BROYLES

I met Dr. Broyles as a high school student when I participated in the OU Summer Science Academy. This was the first time I saw what a research lab looked like and learned about how medical research is done. Dr. Broyles and his students stoked my curiosity and were beyond welcoming. I draw on the lessons he taught me in his lab now as I run my own research lab, first at Notre Dame and now at Vanderbilt. It was a joy having known him.

More than any other of the countless people that I have known at age 81, I would choose to be Robert Broyles. A "selfless" man he was able to "tune out" other distractions and "tune in" specifically to me and I felt that upon all my encounters with Robert. I did not see him often, but whenever I did I felt "special" to him. Robert was "tuned in" to me and only me. Unpretentious when he could have gloried in just a fraction of his achievements! Being with him was a "treat" and I am so sorry he...

Robert possessed a trait quite rare these days: the ability to totally focus on the life of the person with whom he was conversing. Robert seemed to often search me out within any group we cohabited and then was intensely interested in what I had to say and what I was feeling. He was the epitome of "genuine." It was a gift to me to learn some things about what was going on in his life, always spoken thougtfully and gently. He is missed by everybody he touched. There were/are many, many of us.

Bob was a good friend in high school in South Charleston, WV, and we knew he was going to be successful in life. I had just begun an online correspondence with him when he passed away, and I'm sorry not to have learned more about his adult life.

With so much gratitude to have witnessed Robert in my life. Friend, Mentor, Elder...

Robert had a kind, gentle soul with an inquisitive mind. He will be missed. My prayers are with Dianne and all his family.

Robert was a gentleman and a scholar. I was always happy to see him at one of the poetry functions we attended together. I will miss the conversation and the poetry, my friend. Aya achuckma,

A "scientist's scientist",ready to investigate anything big or small.
A teacher and student,
A poet and partner.
to walk in his shadow was our lasting honor.