Robert Bruce Meyer, 80, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Maureen V. (Nicholls) Meyer. Bob was the devoted father of Lesley Meyer Pisarra, and husband Steven, of Cohasset, MA; Alison C. Moppett of Boston, MA; Samantha A. Moppett and her husband Jonathan Kelley of Wellesley, MA; and Marguerite A. Sharkey of Kennebunkport, ME; and devoted grandfather of Jocelyn P. Kelley, Charlotte D. Kelley, Brennan R. Pisarra, and Quinn A. Pisarra.
Born on October 13, 1943 in St. Louis, MO, to Samuel B. Meyer and Gertrude (Lenz) Meyer, Bob was the brother of Nancy M. Lowe of State College, PA and the late Margaret S. Rich. He is survived by his niece Jennifer Lowe and nephews Jonathan Lowe and Michael Sherry.
Bob attended Harvard University where he earned his B.A. in physics in 1965 and his Ph.D. in Applied Physics in 1970. He worked as a physics professor at Harvard University and then Brandeis University, where he particularly enjoyed working in the laboratory with his students. Over the years, Bob obtained four patents, primarily related to nematic liquid crystal storage display devices. In 1985, he was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society. Among other awards, Bob received the Oliver E. Buckley Condensed Matter Prize for basic theoretical and experimental studies of liquid crystals and the 2004 Benjamin Franklin Medal of the Franklin Institute. Later in life, Bob’s interests shifted towards Ancient Roman Architecture, enthusiastically teaching courses at both Brandeis University and Wellesley College.
Bob spent many happy hours at his home in Kennebunkport, Maine, where he enjoyed time with his family at Goose Rocks Beach, savored seafood feasts on the porch, and worked on his daylily garden. Bob was an accomplished baker, in endless pursuit of the perfect bread. On weekends, his family would wake up to the glorious smell of homemade scones, crepes, and biscotti. He was also an avid Boston sports fan, and could be found on the couch cheering on (or more likely berating) the Patriots and Red Sox. Above all, the time Bob spent with his children and grandchildren brought him the greatest pride and joy.
All are welcome to pay their respects and celebrate Bob’s life at a memorial service on Tuesday, December 19, at 11:00 am at the Glavin Chapel, located on the Babson College campus in Wellesley, MA, followed by a light lunch at Babsons’ Rogers Pub. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Greater Boston Food Bank in the name of Robert B. Meyer.