Richard Bartha

Richard Bartha passed away Monday night, August 11, at home in Port Townsend, Washington. in the company of his closest loved ones. He was ninety years old.

Born in 1934 in Budapest, Hungary, Richard grew up during World War II and the post-wat Soviet occupation. As a college student, he participated in the 1956 Hungarian Revolution and fled to West Germany when the anti-Soviet uprising was suppressed. In Germany he completed doctoral studies in microbiology and earned his PhD. He came to the University of Washington in 1962 as a post-doctoral student, where he met his future wife, Susi.

From 1964 to 1998, he was a research professor in the Department of Microbiology and Biochemistry at Rutgers University, New Jersey, where he made important contributions to the emerging field of bioremediation, harnessing naturally-occurring bacteria to neutralize toxic environmental pollutants. His discoveries had important applications for the clean-up of environmental disasters like oil spills and SuperFund sites. He is co-author of the most widely-used textbooks on microbial ecology.

Richard also expressed his love of the natural world in his passion for gardening, kayaking, and camping. He nurtured bonsai plants and rescued wild and stray animals. Together with his wife Susi, he raised two daughters, Miriam and Doris. Those who knew him will remember his kindness, his steadfastness, his gentleness, courtesy, and patience.