“[Robert Curl] was an extraordinary colleague, and despite his talent and his acclaim with the Nobel Prize, he was unfailingly modest and generous to other people with his time and attention. I think of him as the soul of our department. He made everybody around him better.” - Rice chemist Bruce Weisman Rice magazine remembers the late Nobel Prize-winning chemist Robert Curl, an internationally acclaimed scientist and nanotechnology pioneer whose 64-year career at Rice University made him one of the institution’s most beloved and respected figures. 📷 Volker Steger/Science Photo Library https://lnkd.in/gnzU9Vuc
I was Rick Smalley's first grad student at Rice. We were working on asigning the rotational spectrum of jet cooled benzene and could not understand why we could not cool out more rotational lines, no matter how hard we tried. We showed the spectrum to Professor Curl. He looked at it for about 20 seconds and said, "have you considered nuclear spin statistics?" Turned out that was exactly the reason for so many lines in the spectrum at near zero Kelvin. He is acknowledged in the paper we published, the first from Smalley's career at Rice. Bob was really a brilliant and humble person and I remember him fondly. Though I was scared to death to have him on my thesis committee.
I had the pleasure working as Dr. Curl's assistant and he was a kind and genuine person. He answered everyone's fan mail even prison mail. I'll never forget his honorable presence in the department of Chemistry.
Been playing bridge with him during my time at Rice. He was the sponsor for our bridge club, and he was the most modest person I have ever known. Even though a Nobel prize winner, he would always let us play first and deal cards for us. I didn’t figure out he was a Nobel prize winner until my friend told me a year later.
I wasn't a chemist, didn't know the man personally but I remember his unfailing kindness and attentiveness when our paths crossed on campus. Namaste.
Yes it was certainly true you could feel his passion for his subject. Dr. Curl was our physical chemistry teacher for third year Chemistry. As a chemical engineer, I took it seriously and learned a lot from him. This was 1983 and before he received his honor. I for one was extremely impressed then by his demeanor. I was impressed when I realized he had a correlation named from work he did as a graduate student (Pitzer-Curl correlation). Those Rice classes in the early 80s were blessed to have Dr.Smalley as freshman and then Dr.Curl junior year. With two Nobel winners as instructors, I had no excuse not to know something about chemistry. Thank you Rice for posting this!
I worked in Dr Curls lab in 1969-70 when he was dong #mirowave #chemistry on #free #radicals and met Buckminster Fuller #Fullerenes #BuckyBalls #nanoChemistey #iNano #SwedeNanoTech #bioE.Rice.edu
I had the pleasure of working with Dr. Curl as the program coordinator and he was as genuine and humble as Prof. Weisman described. My fondest memory was seeing him ride his bike to work in the morning, after work, and to and from lunch, every day. That image has always been an inspiration and as memorable as his kindness and genuine personality.
Bob Curl was my graduate research advisor when I was at Rice. Everything they say about him is true - he was one of the kindest, thoughtful, intelligent people I've ever known. I was lucky to be his graduate student and to continue intermittent communication with him over the years. I owe much of my career to his guidance and wisdom.
You can feel his passion, truly admirable!
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1yInspiring person who was a great champion of student learning ... Dr. Curl pulled me aside when he found out I was an engineering student waitressing at the faculty club and invited me to report to his lab on the next Monday. Thus began my transition from student to engineer. He created opportunity and gave me the confidence to move towards a 35+ year career in high tech. Fond memories and gratitude!! Addition: this was 1982, and I went on to work on wiring for laser focusing lenses for Dr. Weissman who also gave me a chance. Little did I know the wondrous work they were doing. Thanks Rice profs!!