Floyd Robert Tuler

Dr. Floyd R. Tuler died peacefully at his home in Lenox, MA on Nov.4. Born May 24, 1939, he was 85 years old.
Floyd was born and raised in Chicago, IL, the son of Jack and Alice Tuler. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Marcia (nee Herbstman); his sister, Gail Friedman, and her husband Gene; his children, Seth and Debbie, and her husband, Aaron Feldman; and his grandchildren, Kobi and Tzvia Feldman. Floyd was very devoted to his extended family, adored his grandkids, and was known for his very long goodbyes. He was adamant that his children and grandchildren learn their multiplication tables, and despite some initial resistance he ultimately succeeded. He enjoyed offering financial advice to his children, who wish they listened more.
The Tulers moved to the Berkshires upon Floyd's retirement in 2005 and into their home in Lenox in 2007. After a weekend visit to the Berkshires in 1991 they purchased a second home in East Otis where they loved to spend time and which they somehow consented to share with their son Seth for a year while he was working on his dissertation. He was an avid hiker with the Monday Mountain Boys, an officer and member of the Laurel Lake Association, delivered food for Meals on Wheels to bring to churches and the Salvation Army, and delivered Kosher meals to the homebound in the Berkshires. He volunteered at Tanglewood and enjoyed the many cultural opportunities the Berkshires offer. At their home in Lenox, Floyd loved planting and harvesting the garlic but left the tending of tomatoes and basil to Marcia. He loved his fruit trees and was increasingly frustrated with the bears that feasted on their fruit.
A graduate of the University of Illinois (B.S. and M.S.) and Cornell University (Ph.D.), Floyd was a material scientist by training. He was the first in his family to receive a graduate degree. He worked in both the public and private sector, including Sandia National Lab in Albuquerque, NM; Effects Technology, Inc. in Santa Barbara, CA; and Cambridge Technology Center (a Division of Alcan), Cambridge, MA. Weaved into his time at these jobs he was a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (1974 – 1982) and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA (1981 – 1990). He ended his professional career as the Executive Director of the Center for Automotive Materials and Manufacturing, Queen's University Kingston, Ontario, from 2000 - 2005.
His work spanned many topics involving the strength and integrity of metals exposed to different kinds of stress. With his colleague Barry Butcher at Sandia National Laboratory he formulated the Tuler-Butcher model, which no one in his family understands. ChatGPT tells us that this work was foundational in the study of how materials respond to repeated or sustained stresses, an important issue is fields of aerospace, civil engineering, and materials science. Ever curious with his sharp intellect to tackle new problems, his work evolved to consider challenging technology policy, risk, and research and development questions in offshore oil drilling, automobiles, and fuel cells, among others. Floyd loved being a teacher and mentor to many. He always considered the big picture, was comfortable with complexity, and avoided simplifications.
While he had a strong analytic mind, he was also deeply spiritual. Floyd was a pioneer of the Chabad in the Berkshires Shabbat morning minyan, serving as the Gabbai for many years. He drove the Rabbi's children to school in Albany for a year while saying kaddish for his mother. His bookshelves are lined with Jewish books spanning history, Talmud, kabbalah, ethics, and more.
Floyd had a strong spirit of adventure and shared his joy of adventure and travel with his family. Trips included a rafting trip in the Grand Canyon, hiking and camping throughout Israel, hiking hut to hut in the While Mountains, and exploring Costa Rica, many countries in Europe, the British Virgin Islands, and more. He and Marcia took each grandchild on a special trip.
Floyd had a deep curiosity, and he loved talking with people. He made friends wherever he went, and he loved to talk over meals. At the end of a gathering, saying goodbye often meant the start of a new conversation. He loved to laugh and laughed easily. Floyd had an infectious smile and sparkling eyes. He loved to bake bread. A man of much generosity he was also humble and discrete about the support he offered.
A graveside funeral was held on Wednesday, November 6th at Beit Hachaim Cemetery in Great Barrington, MA. In keeping with his spirit of generosity, donations in his honor may be given to Chabad of the Berkshires.