Robert J. Cave | In Memoriam

Chemistry Professor

The 91探花 community mourns the loss of respected chemist, distinguished teacher and widely recognized scholar Robert J. Cave who died Dec. 18, 2020. Known for his hearty laugh and his welcoming and congenial manner, Cave served on the 91探花 Mudd faculty for 32 years.

Robert J. Cave was born in Brooklyn, N.Y., and was raised on the east coast, 鈥渢raveling west鈥� (to his way of thinking at the time) when he attended Michigan State University. He received a B.Sc. in chemical physics from Michigan State and then really moved west, attending Caltech on a National Science Foundation Fellowship in chemistry, receiving his PhD in 1986.

After graduation, he spent two and a half years in Indiana as a postdoctoral fellow working with Ernest R. Davidson on electronic structure theory. He arrived at 91探花 Mudd in 1988 to continue studying the excited states of molecules using theoretical methods. With his research students, Cave used advanced techniques to describe the electronic wave functions of atoms and molecules to predict properties such as geometries, vibrational frequencies and charge distributions. One area of particular interest in the group has been the electronic coupling element for electron transfer. Recent focus has been on the development of approximate, fast, high-accuracy methods to calculate the electronic coupling based on coupled cluster wavefunctions. The group also has been investigating applications of density functional theory to study organic and organometallic reaction mechanisms and working on general methods to calculate quasidiabatic coupling elements for high-accuracy spectroscopic studies.

Bob Cave and student look at computer monitor

Cave once stated 鈥渢he best part of it all is the extraordinary students at HMC. Almost none of the work 鈥� would have been done without them, and they made it all a lot more fun.鈥� One of the joys of teaching at HMC, he said, was the range of courses he was able to teach, among them General Chemistry (lab and lecture), Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Statistical Mechanics, Science and Religion, and Electron Transfer Processes.

In addition to his work in the lab and classroom, Cave held several administrative roles at HMC. He was associate dean for academic affairs (2003鈥�2007, 2015鈥�2016) and was vice president for academic affairs and dean of the faculty (2007鈥�2012). At the end of his tenure as VP and dean, the faculty presented Cave with a certificate of appreciation for his 鈥渆ffective leadership, enormous capacity for consensus building and desire to provide a supportive environment for the faculty [which] enabled faculty members to experience an unparalleled time of productivity and collegiality.鈥�

Cave was a visiting researcher at Brookhaven National Laboratory, Rutgers University and University of Texas at Austin. From 2016 to 2018, he was visiting program director in chemistry at the National Science Foundation.

Cave is survived by his wife, Susie, his son, Ian, and daughter-in-law, Shaina Davis. He is predeceased by his son, Adam. The family requests that memorial contributions in his honor be directed to the UN World Food Programme, Equal Justice Initiative or the UN Refugee Program.

Memories of Robert

Mark Minto 鈥�90

Here is the title to my story…
1990 Upland Earthquake with Dr. Cave: ,
or, for a humorous and embarrassingly true title…
鈥淗OW I BEAT DR. CAVE UNDER DR CAVES鈥� VERY OWN DESK DURING THE UPLAND EARTHQUAKE!.鈥�…
(My sincere apologies, Dr. Cave… I didn鈥檛 see you)
Dr. Cave forgives and has a great since of humor. (That鈥檚 very good news for me, but I still owe him an apology..) The most violent earthquake to hit HMC was the 1990 Upland Earthquake. Of course, it was just “5.7” on the scale…but the epicenter was less than a mile from HMC. The earthquake hit at 3:43 pm on Feb 28, 1990. . There was incredible noise and enormous shaking. By pure coincidence, I was with Dr. Cave, in his office, reviewing results at the time of the earthquake.
Surely if there if there is such a thing a mild-mannered professor it was Dr. Cave. I had not ever heard the slightest hint of a profanity from him, not even one time. Still, I must apologize to Dr. Cave. Please remember, I was acting purely on fear and instinct. When the earthquake hit, I immediately dove under his desk. Yes, I am quite chagrinned to tell you, I beat our dear professor, Cave, underneath his own desk! (Goodness Gracious!) It鈥檚 hard to think correctly in those situations. I can鈥檛 be sure he was actually trying for the desk. Certainly if I had known, I would have offered the space under the desk to Dr. Cave first.
Unfortunately, there was only room for one under the desk. I remember the earthquake especially well, because Dr. Cave was looking down at me as I crouched under HIS DESK! (ouch) It was at this time that Dr. Cave (might) have uttered the only profanity (very loudly) that I ever heard from him in the four years I was at HMC, (but those details are permanently sealed from the record…)
Of course later were joked about it. Thanks you Dr. Cave for your forgiveness and sense of humor…
-Mark Minto
Chem 1990

Marie Kirkegaard 鈥�15

Advisee

I am where I am today in great part due to Bob Cave. I started working in his lab as a sophomore at Mudd, and while I loved it, Bob knew that my foremost interest and passion was nuclear chemistry, so he introduced me to a former student with a nuclear chemistry lab at UC Irvine and encouraged me to do my senior thesis there, even though it meant losing a thesis student.

That year, I ended up with some extra time in my schedule and decided to use an independent study to pursue my interest in nuclear weapons policy. I asked Bob if he knew any professors on campus that might have relevant expertise to the topic. He didn鈥檛, but immediately offered to be my advisor for the 鈥渃ourse鈥�. Each week, after doing some independent reading on the subject, I would report to Bob鈥檚 office to discuss what I鈥檇 read. It was becoming clearer and clearer to me that I wanted to pursue nuclear weapons issues as a career path, and Bob could not have been more supportive. Many of my other professors and peers were confused by this interest of mine, several suggesting alternative paths that they thought were more appropriate for me to pursue after my Mudd education. But Bob encouraged me to go for it. It was 2015 and the Iran Nuclear Deal was being negotiated; 鈥淚鈥檒l feel more comfortable when you鈥檙e in DC working on these challenges,鈥� he told me.

Bob was the kind of teacher that truly cared about you as not just a student but a whole person. My senior year was complicated by episodes of paralysis and extreme fatigue, leading to numerous doctors visits. Bob checked in on me often, keeping track of all of my appointments to ask how they went afterwards, and offering to drive me to my appointments and to UC Irvine鈥�90 mins away in traffic鈥搄ust to make sure I could continue my research there.

I kept up with Bob sporadically since leaving Mudd, updating him on my life milestones, like earning my PhD in 2019. He was due for another update when I heard that he had passed away. I鈥檇 expected to see him at alumni weekend in 2020, so I held off on sending an email to let him know the latest, that I鈥檇 landed a dream job working on nuclear issues in DC, gotten married, and even bought a house. I wish I would have shared those accomplishments with him, and let him know one last time how much his kindness and support has meant to me and contributed to my successes. Rest in peace Bob and thank you for everything

Anonymous '24 鈥�24

Student

I had Prof. Cave for frosh chemistry during Zoom and it was a class I looked forward too because he was very warm and understanding and kind and patient. He made me feel like I was capable at chemistry even though I was not very good at it. I am very thankful I got the opportunity to meet Prof Cave even if it was virtually. His Santa-Clause esque energy was very much appreciated. I wish the best for his family.

Sara Hummel 鈥�06

Former student/advisee

I know that some students loathed Friday afternoon lab section because it delayed the onset of the weekend. I enjoy it so much with Prof Cave, I signed up for his Friday section again! When it came time to pick major advisors, he was my obvious choice, and I never regretted it. Even when he became dean, and he had new obligations, he was still there to be my advisor/cheerleader/confidante. In his role as dean, I know he positively impacted other students beyond the chemistry department. He will be missed.

Marcy LaViollette 鈥�02

Student

Professor Cave always brought cheer and deep wisdom everywhere he went. He was the first person at Mudd who made me feel like I could be both a person of Faith and of Science (in retrospect a self-imposed hesitation). I will never forget when he approached my table during lab freshman year and tried to encourage me to become a Chemistry major. I responded “I’ve never thought of myself as a Chemist, but,” I motioned to my lab partner, “he sure is.” My lab partner expressed surprise, but by the end of the day agreed and is still working in the industry using all his Chemistry heart and knowledge every day. Professor Cave, I will never forget your tireless encouragement and love for the the subject and all your students. You will always be with me even though we haven’t spoken since I graduated.

Judy Augsburger

Colleague

Bob was so warm and caring and present in every conversation we had, from the serious talks to the just-bumping-into-each-other casual moments. I can think of so many times when he said something wise or affirming at a needed moment. I was always amazed at how generous he was with his attention and time and support. And of course, walking into the dining hall鈥攐r anywhere–and hearing his laugh ring out always made me feel good, no matter that I had no idea what he was laughing at. Thank you Bob for being such an amazing person and being in our lives.

Keith Kuwata 鈥�91

Student

I distinctly remember meeting Bob when he started at Mudd in the fall of 1988. The joy and enthusiasm he brought to my p-chem lab section were memorable and reassuring. I didn’t think I was doing a great job measuring properties like surface tension, but Bob was consistently encouraging. In the fall of my senior year, I was having doubts about going to graduate school. Bob took the initiative to talk with me about my doubts and, knowing our common Christian faith, shared that he had been praying for me. I had many excellent professors at Mudd and at the other Claremont Colleges, but Bob was able to connect with me in a unique way. In 2017, I was interviewing for a rotator position with the NSF Chemistry Division when Bob was rotating there, and he was still my biggest fan, encouraging me and giving me advice. His death remains a shock and a huge loss for the Mudd community. May he and his family know consolation and peace.

Angie Aguilar

Colleague

Bob had the genuine ability to see people. The last time I saw Bob was by accident. I was picking up lunch and he happened to be having lunch with a friend. Immediately he embraced me hello, introduced me (listing off some of my contributions) and we made a plan to meet up soon. However, what I remember most is the feeling he left me with. I got in my car eager to make those future lunch plans. This was the case with every encounter I had with Bob! I am a better person for having met him and he is missed dearly.

Kerry Karukstis

Fellow faculty member in the Chemistry Department

While Bob and I were both physical chemists at HMC, the special connection that we shared was our fondness for college basketball. More often than not, our alma maters would find themselves as opponents on the court during the NCAA tournament. Bob would be rooting for Michigan State and I for Duke. We always wished each other good luck before a big game and congratulated or consoled each other afterwards. This year’s tournament was no exception for the match-up, and I’m sure Bob was watching from heaven. (Sorry, Bob, better luck next year when Duke no longer is led by Coach K.) I’ll miss Bob for so many reasons, but I know it will feel as though he’s a little bit closer when basketball season rolls around again.

Wendy Menefee-Libey

Friend, colleague, mentee

Bob was my friend for 30 years. We were young parents together. He was a colleague for 20 years and my boss for the best of those years. His uncommon warmth and inclination to always try to do the right thing even when it was the hard thing stands out. We didn’t always see eye to eye, especially about music. He thought the Allman Brothers were the height of musical genius. I didn’t get the endless guitar solos. I just finished listening to “Stormy Monday” on The Allman Brothers Live at Fillmore East. I was wrong. I imagine Bob grooving to a giant, endless concert in the sky. Enjoy, my friend.