Book of Memories for Burtron Hamilton Davis

Condolence From Hossein A Dabbagh

Sun, 27 Jan 2019 07:28:54 EST

I had pleasure of working under his supervision for 6 years. He was not only a great researcher but wonderful person. The scientific communities have big loss. My condalus to his wife and dauthers. Thank you for teaching me so much. Professor Hossein A Dabbagh Isfan University of Tecknology Isfahan, Iran

Condolence From Calvin Bartholomew

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:45:21 EDT

Burt was fine scientist and very productive He was a pioneer especially in the area of Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis. He did a great service to the catalysis society by recording many of the talks given at important catalysis meeting I will miss seeing his big smile and hearing his hearty laugh.

Condolence From Steve LeViness

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 12:17:59 EDT

It is hard for me to believe that Burt won't be sitting in the front row with his video camera at nearly every chemical engineering and fuel chemistry meeting in the future. He was a fantastic scientist as well as a fantastic person. My condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. You will be sorely missed Burt, and I am a better person for having known you all these years. Steve LeViness

Condolence From Andrei Khodakov

Thu, 04 Oct 2018 02:57:22 EDT

This is a huge loss. Burt Davis is one of the fathers of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and modern catalysis. I met him in many conferences and congresses and always had very interesting and motivating discussions. I will keep forever in my heart his eternal enthusiasm, open mind and scientific curiosity. He was really a great person. My deepest and most sincere condolences go to Burt’s family!

Condolence From Amit Sarkar

Wed, 03 Oct 2018 07:55:30 EDT

I feel like I’ve lost my father again! I cannot imagine anyone else in his position who has always been so helpful to me in so many ways: great mentor; excellent Supervisor to work for; and, the most knowledgeable source on so many topics! I can never forget Burt’s kindness and so nice way to treat others. He was always a role-model for highest academic and professional standards! May Peace and Joy be with him in Heaven! Rest in Peace Burt!

Condolence From T Bennett

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 18:00:51 EDT

Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss. Also please be comforted as this hour by "the God of all comfort." 2Cor.1:3&4

Condolence From Yaying Ji

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 16:10:38 EDT

Burt is one of the greatest scientist and kindest person I have known in my life and career. He always makes things easy to people with his understanding and kindness. I appreciate him for everything he did to me. He will be in my heart forever. May Peace and Joy be with him in Heaven.

Condolence From Uschi Graham

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 13:56:49 EDT

The world is a greater place because of Burtron H. Davis, an amazing scientist, colleague and family man. Burt Davis captured the History of Catalysis including videography of many Greats in the field for all to see. He allowed me to take videos and tape interviews of his research. Those will be shared and memorialized. I will never forget his kindness, humor and wit and I am forever grateful to him.

Condolence From Christopher Jones

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 10:16:50 EDT

Burt was a vibrant figure in the heterogeneous catalysis community. He was a friend, a fountain of knowledge, and a wonderful researcher. His passing will deeply affect many dozens of researchers worldwide. Deepest condolences are offered to his family and closest friends on behalf of the North American Catalysis Society and ACS Catalysis.

Condolence From Wilson Shafer

Tue, 02 Oct 2018 09:01:24 EDT

I had the wonderful opportunity to work under Dr. Davis’ guidance for close to 11 years, having never heard of Fischer-Tropsch when I started. Through his patience, guidance and wisdom, I was able to grow quickly to forever have my career changed. Burt paved the way for me to obtain a Ph.D. part-time while working full-time under him. I am truly honored to have been able to work under such an extraordinary scientist. So many times, the hallways were filled with his booming laughter. I am truly sad to see him go as he provided so much. As I now roll into a faculty career, I am taking from his excellent example. I cannot thank him enough for all that he did. My deepest sympathy goes out to the family during this time of great loss.

Condolence From Wenping Ma

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 23:36:24 EDT

Life is unpredictable. Just 10 days ago, we had a group lunch with Burt at Pepe’s Mi Mexico in Georgetown. Burt’s eyes were still as bright as before, he was still humorous and brought us lots of smiles and happiness, just as before. But just a week later, Burt, you left us. In a deeply memorizing mood I say last words to you. I have been working with Burt's group for the last 12 years, I witnessed what a great mentor, a greater leader, an outstanding scientist he was. Burt, you are so dedicated and diligent. Burt never stopped working until his last minutes. 6 days a week, from 8am and 6 pm every day. An amazing thing is that during the past 12 years Burt's group published more than 250 scientific papers, I know he reviewed each paper before submission. Even he suffered from illness in the last month, Burt with amazing willpower, reviewed papers for us, I was touched with tears; Burt, you are such a great scientist pursing scientific truth. Burt was always open to accept new findings and new thoughts of us. You set a good example for us to looking for right things. Thanks for Burt’s great love and cares of us. Most exciting thing for us was he promised and invited groups of people for lunch for many times, after publishing papers or when some employees left for a new job, Burt always paid bill for all of us. I remembered the most flavorful restaurant you liked to go to was at the Marriott along Newtown Pike and the Chinese royal buffet in Georgetown. I would like to especially thank Burt for giving me every opportunity to develop in the specialty, including supervising me, publishing papers and supporting me to attend many national and international meetings. In the Bible, Timothy 2 chapter 7 Paul said, I have made a good fight, I have come to the end of my journey, I have kept the faith. This right reflects what Burt completed in his career. Burt you are in another perfect world now, but your working philosophy, spirit of dedication and sacrifice to the FTS and catalysis, optimistic attitude to the life and love to us will continuously inspire us to move forward. Wenping Ma on 9/30/18

Memorial Candle lit by Ram Srinivasan

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 18:30:59 EDT

Ram Srinivasan

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Mon, 01 Oct 2018 16:47:38 EDT

Burt, Leslie & Uschi at Karen's wedding.

Condolence From Dragomir Bukur

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 16:02:37 EDT

I have known Burt for over 35 years. In early 1980’s both of us had projects funded by US DOE on development of iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalysts. We met on numerous occasions at scientific conferences and at his Lab at CAER in Lexington or at my Lab at Texas A&M in College Station and more recently at Texas A&M University at Qatar. Recently, I had a privilege to collaborate with his group on a joint research project which was very successful. Burt was an outstanding scientist and he made significant contributions to the field of catalysis. He was a great collaborator, friend and a true gentleman. I’ll miss his friendship and fruitful discussions that we had over a long period of time. My sincere condolences and sympathy to Burt’s family. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult period. He’ll be remembered fondly by me and other members of scientific community.

Condolence From Steven Chuang (Prof. Polymer Science, Adjunct Prof. Chemical Eng. The University of Akron)

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:55:54 EDT

I had known Burt for more than 3 decades since I was a graduate student at Pittsburgh working in CO hydrogenation in the early 80’s. I had many moments of chatting and discussing with Burt in symposiums and his visits to Akron where he served as a member of the advisory board in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He provided me a tremendous boost in my academic and administrative career through his immense wisdom and knowledge. I also had an honor of learning sulfated ZrO2 from Burt and published two papers with him. His great impact has ingrained in my career.

Condolence From Mauro Celso Ribeiro

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 15:44:46 EDT

I will never forget Burt´s kind, good humored, and humble way to treat people regardless their rank or origin. This behavior from highly accomplished people like him is really rare in these competitive days. Wasn´t his accueil in his group I wouldn´t be where I am and I am sure many people like me benefited from the opportunity of working in his group. A good leader make people around him to grow and he was good at that. When my first son was born, while we still in the US, he made it a case to give him a gift. Such a thoughtful gesture revealed his rather kind character. He was a happy and integrally accomplished person, who did what he loved to do and chose to seize his lifetime to give rather important contributions not only in his expertise area but, more importantly, helping, respecting, and giving opportunities for people around him to grow. Now Burt is in his deserved rest with our Good Lord.

Condolence From Garth Freeman

Mon, 01 Oct 2018 14:58:20 EDT

It is with great sadness that I have received the news of Burt's passing. I was fortunate to have worked for and with Burt for a number of years in the late 70's and early 80's and I count him as one of the few primary influences in my professional life. Besides being a valued friend, he was an exceptional mentor for me. We shared an office for a year or so and I enjoyed every minute of it. Burt was an exceptionally generous man with his time and he provided me with opportunities that went well beyond his official duties. I will never forget Burt Davis and will always be grateful for the time he shared with me.

Condolence From Buchang Shi

Sun, 30 Sep 2018 14:35:51 EDT

Burt was one of the greatest scientists of our time. His contributions to science in general, to hydrocarbon synthesis in particular was enormous. His passing is not only a tremendous loss for his family, for all of us who had worked with him, but also a great loss for all scientists worldwide. He will be remembered by all scientists whenever they cite his published articles in their future research.

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Sun, 30 Sep 2018 14:25:19 EDT

Sandeep's sendoff lunch and Michella's Birth day celebration at a mexican restaurant in Georgetown

Condolence From Charity Mbileni-Morema

Sun, 30 Sep 2018 13:47:55 EDT

I first met Burt in 2005 when two of my colleagues (Keneiloe and Peter) and I went on our first trip to the USA to do our PhD experiments at CAER. Burt was welcoming, very happy to have us from South Africa. We were introduced to him by our Prof, Neil Coville. We spent 6 beautiful months under his care. The last time I saw him was in 2008/2009 at Sasol R&D, where he was an advisory board member. Burt was a think tank, a highly esteemed catalysis researcher and industry expert. He was such a down to earth person, so wise and yet so humble. I'm grateful for his contribution in my studies, his open heartedness and his care when we were in Kentucky. May his kind soul rest in peace.

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Sun, 30 Sep 2018 09:35:35 EDT

Condolence From Muthu Gnanamani

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 21:44:43 EDT

It was 11 years passed since I first started work for Burt as a post doc, I truly respect his guidance, wisdom and felt many times much more than a supervisor. I thoroughly enjoyed the discussion I had with him about either a research or any other topics of the interest. He always spreads the positiveness to whomever he interacts with and he has been the inspiration for many like me. As a great mentor, he respects other opinions and thoughts. Many times, I just amazed at him how one could remember like he did so much information regarding the history of catalysis. I feel so proud that I worked in his lab. I will never forget his kindness. May God give him eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the great pain. With affectionally, Muthu

Memorial Candle lit by Ruthann Chaplin

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:57:19 EDT

Ruthann Chaplin

Condolence From Gary Jacobs

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 18:46:04 EDT

I had the pleasure of working for Burt for 17 years, and I am really going to miss his cheerful optimism, kindness, and great sense of humor. He was truly one of the great catalysis researchers of our time, but you would never know it from his down-to-earth and humble manner. He led by example, and was able to instill confidence and loyalty in those who worked for him. In discussing experiments, he would always outline his ideas by writing out notes and diagrams, before tossing them in the waste basket. So, his students and researchers quickly learned to stop him before he did that, or otherwise they would have to go fishing. Burt enjoyed traveling and filming wild animals, especially in South Africa where he returned on numerous occasions. He also seemed to have an analogy involving animals for just about every situation ... these involved camels and tents, elephants and boxing rings, monkeys creating pictures, people fleeing from bears, ... the list was endless. I think I can speak for all of his students and researchers when I say that I learned so much from him. He was an excellent mentor, a wonderful friend you could always count on, and a great story teller. I miss him already. Most importantly, he was a caring family man, and he was so proud of his wife, daughters, and grandkids. Julie, Gwendolyn, and I wish you our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies. Burt touched the lives of so many people in a positive way. with love, Gary

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Sat, 29 Sep 2018 17:46:42 EDT

Burt, it was great to see you last June! As always, you were in a very good mood and smiling, and sharing funny memories. We will always remember you.

Condolence From Belma Demirel

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 17:24:08 EDT

May my condolences bring the family comfort and may my prayers ease the pain of this loss. He was my postdoc mentor, adviser and a great friend for many years. He was an outstanding scientist and intellect holding prolific scholarly track records, and a constant source of humorous tales for decades. He had a hobby of collecting research on the greatest scientists of our time, including his mentor Dr. Paul Emmet. He is irreplaceable, and will be missed by many of us. Burt, thank you for leaving very fond memories with us. We will never ever forget you! My most heartfelt condolences, Belma Demirel

Condolence From Belma Demirel

Sat, 29 Sep 2018 17:22:52 EDT

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