Davies recalled as one of a kind

It was standing room only in the Faculty Club's Alumni Hall yesterday, where about a dozen of the late Robert Davies' closest friends and long-time colleagues paid tribute with short speeches about the time they spent with him. They joined about 400 others who gathered for a memorial assembly held in honor of the emeritus molecular biology professor. Davies, 73, died of a heart attack in Golspie, Scotland on March 7, where he was planning to climb the Cairn Gorm mountain range. One of the first speakers, Provost Michael Aiken -- who was teary-eyed as he addressed the group -- spoke about the qualities that he found most endearing in Davies. "He was unique," Aiken said. "Who else in this University would carry around such esoteric rules from the faculty handbook?" Many of the speakers also remembered how unusually dedicated Davies was to so many causes. Director of Affirmative Action Joanne Mitchell said that Davies was one of the few people she encountered who really meant what he said when they talked of change. "Bob Davies was one of those rare people who talked the talk, but [also] walked the walk," she said. Davies was also remembered as a world-renowned scientist who did groundbreaking research on the energetics of muscle contraction and explored the possibility of extra-terrestrial life. While pursuing this work, Davies published over 260 scientific papers, taught in 17 departments, and made over 100 scientific presentations. Davies was also named Benjamin Franklin Professor of Molecular Biology and won the Lindback Award for distinguished teaching in 1984. "Nothing less than perfection was acceptable to Bob," Emeritus Biochemistry and Biophysics Professor Britton Chance said. "No one could have done it better than Bob, or more exactly." Another academic colleague, Veterinary School Clinical Studies Professor Robert Schwartzman, said that he also was awed by Davies' attitude and abilities. "Bob Davies was an awesome person," Schwartzman said. "[He was] an intellectual giant. He was a stimulating, challenging and provoking individual." Davies was also a man with an overpowering personality, dedication and desire to improve the University. He was an ardent supporter of equal rights, especially women's rights. Carol Tracy, the director of the Women's Law Project, told a story of Davies' dedication. She said that Davies tried very hard to be involved in an all-female sit-in in the mid 1970's at the University, and even though he was not allowed to participate, Davies was made an honorary woman on his 70th birthday. Annenberg Professor Larry Gross said that he had great admiration for Davies' drive to improve the University. "He was willing to go as far as possible to make this University live up to its principles," Gross said. Most of all, speakers talked of Davies the person. "In 34 years, I never saw him without having my heart skip a beat," said Davies' wife Helen Davies, a Medical School associate dean and microbiology professor. Philadelphia Health Commissioner Robert Ross told a story of a rafting trip he took with the couple when he was an undergraduate in Helen Davies' lab. He said that the raft they were in capsized because of the rough waters, throwing the three into the river. Ross said that when he pulled Helen Davies out of the water -- after she had nearly drowned -- Davies exhibited his typical wry humor. "Are you wet dear?" Davies asked his wife. Schwartzman may have best summed up the feelings of those who came to remember Davies. "Many have done valiantly," he said. "But he, Bob Davies, has surpassed them all."

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