Merle Battiste

Merle A. Battiste (July 22, 1933 – August 8, 2009) was an American chemist and emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florida.

Merle A. Battiste
Born(1933-07-22)July 22, 1933
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
DiedAugust 8, 2009(2009-08-08) (aged 76)
Gainesville, Florida, U.S.
NationalityUnited States
Alma materCitadel (B.S)
Louisiana State University (M.S)
Columbia University (Ph.D, 1959)
Spouse(s)Jan
Scientific career
FieldsOrganic chemistry
InstitutionsUniversity of Florida
Doctoral advisorRonald Breslow
Notable studentsRobert H. Grubbs

Early life and education

Battiste was born on July 22, 1933, in Mobile, Alabama. His parents were David Theodore Battiste (1895-1987) and Flossie Mae Battiste (nee Older) (1897-1957). Battiste was the youngest of four siblings: one which died at infancy (1917-1917), Marion Theodore Battiste (1918-1988), James Melvin Battiste (Mildred), and Marie Wilson.[1] He attended Murphy High School.

Battiste received a B.S. degree from The Citadel, Military College of South Carolina, an M.S. degree in organic chemistry from Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge, under Prof. J. G. Traynham, and a Ph.D. in organic chemistry from Columbia University in 1959. He was Ronald Breslow’s first Ph.D. student.[2]

Career

After conducting postdoctoral research (1960) with Saul Winstein at the University of California, Los Angeles, and after a short stint in the Army, he joined the faculty at the University of Florida where he remained as a professor of organic chemistry for 42 years, until his retirement in 2004.

Battiste's research focused on the synthesis of novel molecular structures. He published over 130 peer reviewed papers in Organic Chemistry and was known as a dedicated, passionate teacher.

As a passionate teacher as he was, made a turn to Robert H. Grubbs's life, when he convinced him to turn to Organic Chemistry rather than Agriculture Science.[3] Grubbs worked as one of his research assistants.

Personal life

Battiste passed away peacefully at his home Gainesville, FL on Saturday August 8. Battiste survived by his wife, Jan; his sons, Mark and John; his stepdaughters, Tanya, Paula, and Tracey; and six grandchildren.[4] Battiste loved gardening and he was member of the Gainesville Camellia Society for many years.

Awards and honors

Battiste was a Sloan Fellow, a Fulbright Research Scholar, and an Erskine Fellow. He was also an emeritus member of American Chemical Society, joining in 1959. The University of Florida created the Battiste Award in Synthetic Chemistry. Originally established in 2005 as the Petra Award for Creative Work in Synthetic Organic Chemistry, the award name was changed in 2007 to honor Professor Battiste.[5]

Memberships

References
  1. "Merle Battiste in the 1940 Census | Ancestry". www.ancestry.com. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  2. AINSWORTH, SUSAN J. (2011-03-19). "OBITUARIES". Chemical & Engineering News. 88 (3): 35–36. doi:10.1021/cen-v088n003.p035.
  3. "Robert H. Grubbs - Biographical". www.nobelprize.org. Retrieved 2016-09-02.
  4. "Merle A Battiste (1933 - 2009) - Find A Grave Memorial". www.findagrave.com. Retrieved 2016-07-22.
  5. "Battiste Award - University of Florida". www.chem.ufl.edu. Retrieved 2016-07-22.


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