DR. ROBERT KERBER

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ROBERT KERBER Obituary

KERBER - Dr. Robert 80, of Shoreham passed away on February 5, 2019. He was the son of the late Cyril Kerber and Mildred Kerber Visconti. Robert taught at Stony Brook University for 45 years where he achieved the status of Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of Chemistry. He is survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Kathryn and Fred Baker of CT; his sister-in-law Irene Kerber of CT; along with many nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces. Robert was predeceased by his brother Raymond Kerber. To share a memory with Robert's family please visit us at www.forrestermaherfuneralhome.com

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Published by Newsday on Feb. 13, 2019.

Memories and Condolences
for ROBERT KERBER

5 Entries

Edward Nelson

May 3, 2023

Just ran across this obituary from 2019. I worked as a summer intern with Professor Kerber the summer of 1977. He was a brilliant and kind man who showed me the ropes and enabled me to succeed my first year in Grad School. One story: Bob also had an Asian student who started working in the lab the same summer I did. Because he felt his Chinese name would be too difficult for us to pronounce he announced that his American name would be "Ed", the same as mine. With a chuckle Bob said "No. This is one case were 2 Ed´s would not be better than one. So, pick another name please"
Best, Ed Nelson, Ph.D

this is a pic from our virtual organic chemistry course package.

Todd Rothman

August 10, 2019

Professor Kerber was one in a million. In 2001, He asked if I would be interested in filling out a form providing my feedback as a former student to advise whether he should receive the SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professorship. Below is my response. He was a beautiful soul that inspired many!

October 29, 2001

Dear Professor Ojima,

Recently I received notification that you are preparing a file for the nomination of Professor Kerber for the SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professorship. Professor Kerber was my professor for organic chemistry and organic chemistry lab. He has been a great role model and influence for me since that semester. Organic chemistry is a difficult subject for someone to teach because of the complexity behind the theory and application.

Professor Kerber has a style of teaching that makes the subject easier to learn. He has a genuine concern for all of the students in the class that motivates people to try there best. I will never forget the countless times I would go to his office and ask him questions about my studies. No matter how busy Professor Kerber was he would always take the time to help me understand the problem I was having. He would never just give an answer; he would guide me through the steps to solve the problem so that I could find the answer for myself. Some times I would go to his office challenging some of the concepts I was learning and he would compliment my efforts. This in turn would make me study harder so that I could receive his compliments again.

Professor Kerber is not just a person with great knowledge and mastery of chemistry, he is a person who understands and cares about his students. He attracts the student's attention with his genuine interest for people and pushes people to try their best with his patience and motivation. Since that semester I have helped many students receive high grades in organic chemistry because I had the privilege of having Professor Kerber as my professor.

Although I love the subject, I am not sure if I would have had the opportunity to explore it as in depth as I did with Professor Kerber's guidance. Many of the successful techniques that I use while helping students have been modeled after the techniques used during Professor Kerber's lectures. So, his influence on me has allowed me to influence many students. That is something that only a distinguished professor and mentor can do.

Two months ago, I completed a tutorial program on CD-ROM called Virtual Organic Chemistry. This program is my way to reach out and help build confidence in students around the world the way Professor Kerber helped me. In the credits section of the program I honored Professor Kerber for his incredible teaching abilities and credited him for the existence of the program. Without his unconditional support during and after taking organic chemistry, I would not have been able to create this educational program that will help the future organic chemistry students for years to come. After carefully reading the criteria for the SUNY Distinguished Teaching Professorship, I truly believe there is no better candidate than Professor Kerber. I believe in life people will always get what they deserve and so I am confident that Professor Kerber will receive the acknowledgement that he deserves. Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to express my appreciation

Best,

Judith Ann Ruf

May 1, 2019

Robert and I were second Kerber cousins. Over the years we shared a lot of family history. My very deepest sympathy to his family.

Christian Luca

February 22, 2019

I am very saddened to hear of the passing of Prof. Kerber. I was a student in his Honors Chemistry class in my freshman year in fall of 2002 and spring of 2003 semesters. Prof. Kerber imparted his love of chemistry to me and to many and it was felt through his down-to-earth character, and caring, understanding, and humble attitude towards all and in everything he approached. It was an honor and a privilege to be in his class, and thank you for stimulating a deep respect for chemistry, Prof. Kerber. You will be sorely missed by many. My condolences to the Kerber family--may God envelop you in His love, care, and mercy in this difficult time, and may loved ones and friends envelop you in love, care, compassion, and understanding.

80yrs of Kerber

liz perez

February 22, 2019

Included are also some words from emeritus about Kerber's four scores (80 years) accomplishments: Some from faculty & friends, students & alumni.
As an assistant professor with an office just a few doors down from him, I benefited greatly from Bob's wisdom and good cheer. In his later years, he was always a welcome visitor to the Department with his dog Penny. Bob contributed greatly to the Department and the University, and he will be greatly missed.-Chair: Dr. Nancy Goroff I was deeply saddened to hear about Bob's passing. He was a good friend and colleague, and above all a Mensch.-Dr. Wisnia
I second Arnold's characterization of Bob Kerber. Everything he took on he did cheerfully and excellently. He connected with students, both undergraduate and graduate, in ways few of us did. I was very pleased that his contributions to the department were recognized by his well deserved appointment as Distinguished Professor. A good role model for both students and faculty. --Dr. Dick Porter
I am saddened to hear the news. Bob was a good friend of mine since 1967. He also motivated me to do more for chemical education. I also shared his office the last few years. Dr. C. V. Krishnan
I agree with Dick, in that Bob was an exemplary mentor and role model for students. For my entire teaching career here, from 1st year grad student TA, Bob was always standing behind me, encouraging, correcting, and guiding. I owe him a lot. - Dr. Brad Tooker
Our family is so sad to learn of Bobs passing he was great friend to our father Dr. Robert Schneider and to our family, he will be greatly missed.-Kerry Schneider
so sorry to hear of the passing of Prof. Kerber. He was my first chemistry professor at Stony Brook in 2002 in honors chemistry I+II for my freshman year. He was very knowledgeable, but more important than that he was down-to-earth, caring, understanding, funny, and humble in his character. So, thank you Prof. Kerber for imparting to me your love for chemistry, as it stuck with me and am very fond of that first year at Stony Brook. May you rest in peace, and may your memory be eternal, Prof. Kerber. May your family be comforted in this difficult time and surrounded by love, understanding, and compassion.-Christian Luca
This is extremely sad news. RIP Dr. Kerber. Thank you for inspiring me and for your outstanding teaching. You influenced me to pursue chemistry as a major at SBU. You will be greatly missed!-Melvin Parasram
RIP, Dr. Kerber-TaeSoo Sean Kim
Extremely sad news. Was a pleasure knowing him during my graduate studies. Thankful for his help & insight. RIP Dr. Kerber -Daniel Amarante
uch a loss to the SB Chemistry family- Lynn Maelia
Dedicated and passionate about STEM education.-Alfreda Dere
https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/chemistry/faculty/_faculty-profiles/kerber-robert.php

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