Robert F. Steiner ’47

Bob was one of ’47’s distinguished scientists.  

Graduating with highest honors in chemistry and election to Phi Beta Kappa, he went on to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard. He served for 20 years at the Naval Medical Research Institute in Bethesda, Md., becoming head of its biochemistry laboratory. He wrote many papers and was a nationally recognized expert in protein research.  

In 1970, Bob joined the University of Maryland in Baltimore, where he continued his illustrious research career, producing more than 160 papers and seven books. He won national awards and served on important committees of the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health. Unlike many “superstar” academic researchers, Bob thoroughly enjoyed teaching and inspired many students to take up careers in medicine or science.

Bob married Ethel Fisher in 1956. They had two daughters and six grandchildren who enriched Bob’s retirement life, as did painting, music, writing short stories, and traveling with Ethel. Bob also enjoyed flying airplanes as a recreation. As a seasoned pilot, he was a member of the Civil Air Patrol for 25 years.

He died Dec. 30, 2007. With admiration for this gifted classmate, we send this tribute to Ethel and the family.