UF Community Says Goodbye to Harry Sisler

Our friend and colleague Harry H. Sisler, Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, passed away December 23, 2006 at the age of 89. Harry retired in 1990 and was a giant in the history of the Department of Chemistry and the University of Florida. He will be greatly missed.

Dr. Sisler held several influential positions at UF, including Executive Vice President, Dean of the Graduate School and Director of Sponsored Research, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and Head of the Department of Chemistry. He was a leader during the generation that established a national reputation in chemical research for our department.

Harry was an inorganic chemist, publishing over 200 papers in the area of nitrogen chemistry including high energy rocket fuels. He gained significant recognition for his work on hydrazine and N2O4 during a time when these compounds were used by NASA's Apollo program. He authored several chemistry textbooks including two general chemistry texts written with Dick Dresdner.

Harry’s family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to E.T. York Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd, Gainesville, FL 32606. A memorial service celebrating his life will be held on January 30, 2007 at 2:00 pm at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4000 NW 53rd Ave., Gainesville, FL.