Merle Battiste
| Merle A. Battiste | |
|---|---|
| Born |
July 22, 1933 Mobile, Alabama, USA |
| Died | August 8, 2009 (aged 76) Gainesville, Florida, USA |
| Nationality | United States |
| Fields | Organic chemistry |
| Institutions | University of Florida |
| Alma mater | Citadel (B.S) Louisiana State University (M.S) Columbia University (Ph.D, 1959) |
| Doctoral advisor | Ronald Breslow |
| Notable students | Robert H. Grubbs |
| Spouse | Jan |
Merle A. Battiste (July 22, 1933 – August 8, 2009) was an American chemist and emeritus Professor of Chemistry at the University of Florida.
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 his was the younger son among 4 siblings: one which died at infancy (1917-1917), Marion Theodore Battiste (1918-1988), James Melvin Battiste (Mildred), and Marie Wilson. 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.
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. Grubbs worked as one of his research assistants.
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. Battiste loved gardening and he was member of the Gainesville Camellia Society for many years.
...
Wikipedia