Daniel Buttlaire
1941 - 2024
Dr. Daniel Howard Buttlaire, a distinguished professor and scientist at San Francisco State University, passed away on November 2, 2024, following a courageous battle with progressive supranuclear palsy. Known as "Danny" to his family, he was born in the Bronx, New York, in 1941 to Leslie and Anne Buttlaire. Danny's lifelong love of math and science defined his career, leading him from the University of Kansas for his PhD to a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania, and finally to San Francisco State University, where he would leave an indelible mark on the institution and his students.
At SF State, Danny thrived as both a professor and an administrator, serving as Dean of Science and Engineering and later as Dean of Undergraduate Education. As a popular professor in Chemistry and Biochemistry, he inspired countless students, many of whom went on to successful careers in medicine and science. His wisdom, compassion, and warmth shaped the lives of all who were fortunate to learn from him.
Danny's greatest devotion, however, was to his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Barbara Buttlaire, his true partner and the love of his life. Together, they built a life filled with love, warmth, and joy. He cherished his brother, Dr. Stuart Buttlaire; his daughters, Lori Buttlaire and Roni Raposo; his grandchildren, Luann Mathson and Manny Raposo; his son-in-law, Manuel Raposo; his niece, Dr. Anna Buttlaire, her husband Andrew Li, and their son Nicholas Li; and his sister-in-law, Donna Buttlaire, with whom he shared many memorable meals.
Danny was a compassionate and caring soul, whose legacy lives on in all of us who had the privilege to know and love him. May his memory be a blessing.

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 10 to Nov. 11, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Daniel Buttlaire

Sponsored by Skylawn Funeral Home, Memorial Park & Crematory.

12 Entries

Michael Josselyn

February 11, 2025

Dan's influence spread far beyond his leadership and scientific accomplishments in Chemistry. In conversations with Dan, he showed a deep and sincere interest in all areas of science. His support for faculty throughout the College was unwavering and he was always there to help.

Pete Palmer

February 10, 2025

I first met Dan in 1990 when I was applying and then interviewing for a faculty position in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. As Department Chair, he spent a significant amount of time answering my many questions about the position. His assistance and encouragement during the hiring process were key factors in my decision to take on a career in academia.

My respect and admiration for Dan continued to grow throughout the years. His office door was always open. He never failed to provide thoughtful and sage advice on teaching, research, and service. His patience with faculty, staff, and students was amazing - simply put, he truly and sincerely cared. His leadership and integrity set the bar at a level I've never seen before or since in a career spanning several positions in industry, government labs, and academia.

Dan made us all better with his exemplary service and professionalism. On a personal level, he was incredibly kind, funny, optimistic, and always kept life's challenges in proper perspective. It was obvious that he shared a deep love for his wife Barbara - seeing this adorable couple together you would never have believed that this gentle and erudite man once trained as a pugilist!

Dan's service to SFSU went beyond the Department to positions as Associate Dean in the College of Science and Engineering and as Dean of Undergraduate Studies. His legacy lives on in us and our debt of gratitude to him can only be repaid one way - by paying it forward and carrying on his example.

Rest in peace, dear colleague and friend - you will be remembered.

Lisba Fowler

December 6, 2024

When Dan was Chair of the Chemistry Dept., he hired my late husband, Don Eden, in the early 1980s. Don had the highest respect for Dan as a caring and effective Chair, a great Professor, and a good friend. Dan did so much for the Dept. We met many times over the years. Dan was there at UCSF with me on the day Don died in 2000. Dan will be missed by many.

Sheldon Axler

December 5, 2024

Dan was a complete pleasure to work with, always dependable, honest, and trustworthy. He was a role model for me as a Chair and as a Dean, and I often turned to him for advice. Dan will be greatly missed.

Jim Kelley

December 5, 2024

I was very sorry to hear of Dan's passing. We worked together for nearly 30 years when I was Dean of the College of Science and Engineering and he was Chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and later Associate Dean of the College. Dan was a wonderful model as a scientist for all of us, students and faculty alike. He was dedicated to the highest academic standards and exhibited the highest personal standards of integrity and compassion. And he was a genuinely really nice guy. He was always understanding and open to all. He was a great man!

Michael Goldman

December 4, 2024

Dan was a wonderful friend and incredible mentor, not to mention a superb chair, dean, leader, teacher and scientist. I will miss him sorely.

Weiming wu

December 4, 2024

I was hired when Dan was the chair. We had many conversations about the department and life in general. He was warm, caring, and sophisticated. I took many of his advices to heart. I will miss him. My condolences to Barbara and his family.

Andrew Ichimura

December 4, 2024

I joined the department of chemistry after Dan had stepped down from being Chair so I didn't know him as well as other faculty. But later, he served as interim chair for about a semester or so. I remember him in that position as he inhabited the role, very comfortable and at ease in the position. I remember one thing that he told me about department politics. He never let an important idea go to a vote before he was sure of the outcome. He was a very kind man and interested in what his colleagues were doing. I am very sorry for your loss.

James Li & Pamela Jin

Planted Trees

Helen Goldsmith

November 19, 2024

I am so sorry to hear about Dan's death. I worked at SF State, first meeting and working with Barbara and later with Dan when he became Dean of Undergraduate Studies. He was one of the kindest and most caring people I ever met, working to improve the lives of students, faculty, and staff alike.

Holley Wysong

November 13, 2024

My late husband, Jim Keeffe, was a colleague of Dan's for many years. When, in 1985 or thereabouts, the department chair position became vacant, Jim was asked if he would consider running for the position. He would not and did not, knowing that he did not enjoy administration and would probably not be good at it. Luckily for the Chemistry Department, Dan accepted, and displayed a talent for administration that is rare to find. Jim marveled at Dan's abilities in running the department, and representing it to the other departments at SFSU. Dan was widely respected and liked by colleagues, students, and the university administration. I am sorry to learn of his passing. My condolences to Barbara and the rest of the family.

Ihsan Erden

November 12, 2024

What was not mentioned above is the fact that Dan was the greatest chairman ever of our chemistry department at SFSU. A brilliant chemist and a researcher, Dan selflessly sacrificed his very promising research career for the department. He ran the department with great skill and fairness. He cared about the department and his colleagues. He was like a big brother and mentor to me, always supportive and caring. Without Dan as chair, our department could and would not have the status and excellence it reached under his leadership. As a human being, he was warm, personable, fair, witty. He was a father figure whom we could all depend on. Dan was one of the most wonderful people I have ever known. I will always remember him very fondly and with great respect and admiration. I will miss him very much.

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