Robert P. Behringer

October 26, 1948 - July 10, 2018

Durham

Professor Robert P. Behringer, of Durham, NC, passed away peacefully on July 10, 2018 after a short illness. He was surrounded by his loving family, and will be dearly missed. Dr. Behringer received his Bachelor of Science in Physics from Duke University in 1970 and his PhD, also from Duke University, in 1975. Throughout the course of his career, he received numerous awards and recognitions, including the James B. Duke Chaired Professorship, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellowship and the Jesse Beams Award of the Physical Society.

Dr. Behringer is survived by his wife of 47 years, Sue; his children, Michael Behringer and wife Jennifer, and Molly Behringer and fiancé Nate Thompson; his grandchildren, Lauren, Ashley, Carter and Emma; and his brother, Frederick and wife Susan.

A celebration of life service will be held at University United Methodist Church in Chapel Hill on Friday, July 13 at 11:00 a.m. Condolences may be shared at www.cremationsocietync.com. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bob's name to: Sarah P. Duke Gardens, c/o Kate Senner, PO Box 90341, Durham, NC 27708.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The News and Observer on Jul. 11, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for Robert Behringer

Sponsored by Cremation Society of the Carolinas/Capital Funeral Home - Raleigh.

33 Entries

Emma B

February 6, 2024

I was Robert´s granddaughter, Emma. I was only 6 when he passed but I always knew he was a great and knowledgeable person. A lot has happened since he´s been gone, and I wish every day that he would come back but I know he´s in a better place rather than suffering from cancer. I loved him and I love him now still.

Rafi Blumenfeld

July 5, 2021

Bob frequents my memory often still. The same thought crosses my mind whenever I make another step in my research - Bob would have enjoyed very much to discuss this and challenge me. I can actually see him sitting there, with the pen in his mouth, and hurling questions and comments at me. I miss you, Bob!

Douglas Jerolmack

July 20, 2018

Bob was singular in his creativity, patience, and in his inspiration and encouragement of others. Sue, you and Bob were the light of my time on sabbatical in Santa Barbara (KITP), and made sure that all of us got out of our pigeon holes and mixed together; I hope you can take some comfort in knowing how many lives Bob has touched. The world is better because he was in it.

July 19, 2018

My sincere condolences to family, friends, and colleagues.

Bob was a great scientist, colleague, and person.

Steve Teitel, Rochester NY

Abhinendra Singh

July 19, 2018

Bob was a great human being, very humble, extremely patient and a great physicist! He would always listen to curious students and always share his thoughts and ideas. The world lost someone very special!

The dedication to Bob in a recent colloquium lecture in Germany

Rafi Blumenfeld

July 17, 2018

I dedicated the lecture I gave yesterday, at the colloquium at the Physics Dept. of Ulm University, Germany, to Bob. Attached is the dedication page.
I am sure that, like me, many in the field are committed to keeping the memory of Bob and his exemplary achievements and humanity alive.

Jan Elisa Mosca

July 14, 2018

Dear Sue , Michael, Molly and extended family ,
Just reading all the notes from colleagues and others puts all in perspective ... a giving , sharing intellectual man , Professor, Father ... and husband of my cousin Sue .....They chose each other well and supported each other well . My love and best wishes to all the family, friends and colleagues as they live and endure without Robert Behringer, a man for all seasons . I am so sorry to have missed the service on Friday , Jan Elisa Mosca

April 8, 2010. A photo after my PhD preliminary exam.

Somayeh Farhadi

July 13, 2018

The news was shocking and sad...

I would like to express my deepest condolences to his wife Sue, his children and grandchildren, and the scientific community.

Being his student was the greatest pleasure and honour in my scientific life. He was a distinguished physicist and a great leader, and at the same time extremely humble. A unique combination which is rare to find. It was actually impossible not to like him as a scientist and as a human being!...

This is with no doubt a great loss, but his memory will continue to remain with us.

Chris Meyer

July 13, 2018

Simone and I are so saddened and shocked to hear of Bob's untimely passing. I've known Bob for most of my life, getting to know him when I was a teenager and he was a graduate student of Dad. Over the years Mom, Dad, and I became great friends with him and considered him part of the family. Bob was such an outgoing and giving person and we knew we could always count on him in times of need. I know Dad was incredibly proud of him and all the great things he accomplished during his career. In this time of sadness, I can at least know he has joined Mom and Dad up above and they are enjoying each other's company once again.

July 13, 2018

Praying for comfort to you and your family

Robert Mitchell

Shivakumar

July 12, 2018

Shocked to hear this! Huge loss, the man whom I followed for my research. I was early waiting to meet you at GRC-2018 for the first time. My deepest condolences to Prof Behringer's family. Will miss you!

Phyllis Thomas

July 12, 2018

Sue and All The Behringer Family
Please know our thoughts, prayers, hugs and love are with you. Bob was treasured by so many friends associates and family. We can't be at the service tomorrow but will always hold Bob dear in our hearts.
Alan and Phyllis

Jeff Morris

July 12, 2018

I am stunned and deeply saddened to hear of Bob's passing.
This world just lost someone very special.

July 12, 2018

Dear Sue,

With deepest sympathy for your loss and that of your family. The world of science and Duke is much richer for Bob's outstanding professional and personal contributions and achievements.

It is hard to imagine our world without Bob, but may the healing powers of time and memories of wonderful times past bring peace to you.

Earl Dowell

Marilyn Ornstein

July 12, 2018

Dear Sue
Steve forwarded this very sad news to me. I am so very sorry and am keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. May you find comfort in the wonderful memories of your life together as you mourn his loss

Fondly
Marilyn Ornstein

Bob at the Humble Administration Garden in the city of Suzhou, China, in 2013

Jie Zhang

July 12, 2018

It was such a shock when I heard the sad news about Bob. Bob was more than just a mentor, he was also my friend and my hero. I still remember every bit of detail when he sat with me and explained things to me. He was such a nice person, who always gave me encouragement. He was so energetic, and I always believed that one day even when I get retired, Bob will still work in his lab with his students and postdocs. I still can not accept the fact that Bob has left us. It is such a great loss to many! My sincere condolence to Sue and to Bob and Sue's family.

Rafi Blumenfeld

July 12, 2018

Rafi Blumenfeld

July 12, 2018

This is a shocking loss. Bob had so much more to give the world in so many ways. His kind behaviour, with students and colleagues alike, combined with his creative thinking, made him a leader in the field of granular materials. He always pushed the boundary of our knowledge and challenged the rest of us, in his quiet way, to think critically, more fundamentally, and ever innovatively.
Bob was a great scientist, a wonderful personality, a helpful colleague and a good friend, a rare combination, which I and others keenly cherished. Losing him is a huge loss and our lives are the poorer now.

There are so many things I still wanted to discuss with you, Bob. So many things we could still do together. I'm so sorry we didn't. Good bye, my friend. Rest in peace.

Farhang Radjai

July 11, 2018

Bob was a deep and friendly scientist. His humanity and science will not be forgotten from our minds.

Bob in Montpellier, July 2017

Farhang Radjai

July 11, 2018

Bob in Montpellier, July 2017

Farhang Radjai

July 11, 2018

Bob in Montpellier, July 2017

Farhang Radjai

July 11, 2018

So very sorry to hear this sad, sad news. Our prayers are with Sue and family. May God's love comfort you in this time of sorrow. Karen & Joe Shampine

No need for a caption...

Olivier Dauchot

July 11, 2018

Dear Sue,

My words will be clumsy, but let me share with you my distress in front of such an unexpected and terribly chocking news. Bob meant so much to many of us! May we see you again to share our memories is my best wish.

Audrey Melville

July 11, 2018

Thoughts and prayers to Sue and the rest of the Behringer family. I am saddened to learn about Bob's recent passing. He was a brilliant and generous person who gave me my start in academic research and mentored me in my time at Duke. May his impressive legacy continue to live on in his absence.

Sita Pericharla

July 11, 2018

May God put him in a special place from where he will be watching us, the people who loved and cherished him!
Condolences to the bereaved family. God rest his soul in peace!

a loved one

Sent Flowers

a loved one

Sent Flowers

Kelli Hendrickson

July 11, 2018

I am deeply saddened to hear of Bob's sudden passing. Its hard to comprehend that just last month he was helping Mike work on the dock at the lake.

To Bob, I wish I had more time to know you better. Thanks for kindly answering my emails.

To Mike, may you draw strength from your family and friends as you move through this.

July 11, 2018

With my sincere sympathy to your family, may your treasured memories continue to provide a measure of comfort and peace to the family. Please be strengthened from (Isaiah 61:1,2) our God "binds up the broken-hearted and comforts all who mourn".

Surajit Sen

July 11, 2018

Deeply saddened to hear about Bob's passing. He was a dear friend, fondly recall a wonderful lunch with Bob and Sue at their Durham home in 2001 when I visited for a week. My thoughts and prayers are with Sue and the family. Surajit Sen

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