Gary Posner, best known for pioneering research in organocopper chemistry, joined JHU faculty in 1969
I should know better about searching for obituaries. After hearing about Murray Sach’s passing I’ve just discovered that one of my organic chemistry professors has recently died as well.
I remember Dr. Posner well for his pointed use of the Socratic method, and in particular the day that my chemistry-related sir name caught his eye. I think he always expected that I would have been born a chemistry genius because of the name Aldrich. His expectations did make my orgo studies all the more fraught and worthwhile however.
I will point out in my day that the reaction that carried his name was ordered as the Corey-Posner-Whitesides-House reaction and not in the lesser order mentioned in the article.
I just found out Dr. Posner passed away. My condolences to his family. I had the privilege to be one of his postdocs and he changed the future of my life forever. After being interviewed 9 times, I could not find a job. He called me to his office and showed me his impeccable letter of recommendation. Then, he said, someone in your past is not giving you a good reference. I realized that that person was probably my previous advisor. I removed his name from my CV, and I got a job. Thank you, Dr. Posner. You were a first-class scientist and a true gentleman. I enjoyed my time at Hopkins.