Mario Baur, a professor of the chemistry and biochemistry
department died last month from a long-term illness. He was 69.
Baur was a professor at UCLA for more than 40 years and taught
tens of thousands of students, teaching mostly lower division major
requirements. Baur also made several research contributions,
including research in thermodynamics and polymers. He later
concentrated on environmental chemistry.
Baur’s colleagues said his presence in the department will
be greatly missed.
“(The department) is saddened by losing him … he was a
person with a wonderful intellect,” said Professor Charles
Knobler.
In addition to outstanding teaching contributions to the
department, his irreverent sense of humor will be sorely missed,
said department chairman William Gelbart.
Baur died on Dec. 13, 2003, after battling a bone marrow
disorder for more than three years. During his illness, Baur
continued to teach.
“It is really remarkable,” Gelbart said. “A
testament to his vital personality … that as ill as he was, he
found strength to do what was most important to him.”
Gelbart added that Baur had regularly remarked that teaching was
what helped keep him going.
Baur helped in the transition between high school and college,
said Yana Stolyarov, a third-year psychobiology student and one of
Baur’s past students.
Baur was scheduled to teach a course in the chemistry
department’s 14 series this quarter. He will be replaced by
another faculty member.
Outside the classroom, Baur was actively involved in the
community. He was involved with the Boy Scouts of America, and
enjoyed outdoor activities such as backpacking and camping.
One of Baur’s other students, his son, Joshua, believed he
was “an exceptionally good professor.”
Joshua took his father’s chemistry course during a summer
session and said he was impressed by Baur’s teaching
abilities.
“He is the smartest man I’ve ever known,”
Joshua said.
Joshua added that Baur was a loving and caring man who was
always eager to help his family.
“Anytime I had a question about anything, I knew I could
ask him,” Joshua said.
Baur is survived by his wife Ida and four children. He was a
recipient of the Distinguished Teaching Award in 1966 and the
departmental Dow-Hansen Teaching Award in 1993.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in the
Faculty Center’s California Room.