Ralph L. Buice Jr.

I worked with Dr. Buice starting with a independent study project in high school and through having him allow me to do some of my Masters' thesis research in his lab. I learned a lot about chemistry and science in general through the time spent with him.

Dr. Timothy Stewart (Loganville, GA)

I, too, owe much to my dear friend and first real mentor, Dr. Ralph Buice. I studied Computer Science under him as an Independent Study student from 1975-1980. He instinctively knew just how to shape my youthful enthusiasm for all things scientific into a mature career focus. Ralph never gave me an answer that he felt I could find for myself. He also invited me to attend, then join, the Atlanta Astronomy club, and introduced me to Julius D. W. Staal as another mentor and friend.

Even though he taught me so much, two personal things come to mind as I think of him. The first one is funny: immediately after the release of the first "Star Wars" film, he began masquerading as "Darth Vader" on the FORUM newsgroup program hosted on Ga. Tech's mainframe. Don Barry and I were among the first to discover messages from "Vader." He kept up the charade for several years and never did admit to the prank, even though the evidence was overwhelming! His messages revealed a droll sense of humor and a willingness to engage his young students in an intellectually mischievous manner -- not just as educator to student.

The other thing that springs to mind was more personal. When Don Barry and I graduated High School in the Spring of 1980, Ralph took us both to dinner to celebrate. Not just any dinner, but a full-course meal at his favorite gourmet restaurant, The Diplomat. Since Don and I were newly of drinking age (at the time), Ralph had previously and surreptitiously received permission from our parents to have wine served with the dinner: a Château Lafite Rothschild! (I still have the bottle to this day.) That dinner must have cost him a fortune. A remarkable act of kindness from a remarkable man.

I owe so much to Ralph Buice...I took my first computer class at the Griffith House from him while in 6th Grade. His caring and kind playful nature was always patient with those of us who were yearned to learn more than what was necessary.

I had the opportunity this past year and a half to reconnect with Dr. B by bringing my own boys to Fernbank for SEEMA and Science Nights out. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to thank him for what he meant to me and for the opportunities for me at Ga. Tech he was instrumental in.

I will miss him...

I was just one of so many people who's lives Ralph touched. He was incredibly generous, humble to a fault. His passing leaves a void akin to a black hole for so many people. We are just trying very hard to be grateful that we knew him, while being so sad and selfish and wanting him back. Thank you Ralph, we hope you knew how much you were loved.

I met Ralph Buice nearly 30 years ago - I was one of the countless students he taught and mentored over his years with Fernbank. He provided opportunities for learning that simply were not possible in traditional high schools at the time. I credit that experience with helping to turn around my performance as a student, and shape my future academic and professional career. I am reminded of "Dr. B" almost every day as I drive to work - past the Griffith House at the corner of Ponce and Clifton. That drive was a little bit tougher today.

He will be missed.

Ralph Buice was one of the kids that hung out at the observatory and a
member of BAS. He helped with the MoonWatch Team and ran the satellite
tracking program on the IBM 704 computer at TVA for the team. Ralph kept the younger guys entertained at Jones, Hal, Bill, Tommy and others with mystery stories and puzzles. Later he helped me write the new constitution for the BAS. We were friends and when I was in Atlanta he would take me to his latest find in gourmet food, his hobby.

As University students we had great New Years Eve parties at Tommy Atkins
house until we were thrown out by his parents. :) Then it was my house with
Ralph as one of the entertainers. :) Ralph was an amateur racketeer, but Tommy was the best launcher at New Years EVE. We still have reunions of us guys that hung out at Jones Observatory, which last year was at Ralph's new and first house.
Bobby Thompson Chickamauga, Ga.

I wish I had had him as an instructor, and I will always treasure my time with him as he was a wine, food, and travel mentor and very good friend for over 29 years.