Steve Cisler - A Very Special Person

I did not know Steve well, despite the fact that we shared a cubicle for several months in the Center for Science, Technology, and Society. Because I was splitting my time between the Center and the Department of Chemistry, our paths crossed all too rarely, and our interactions became all the more infrequent when Steve moved to a different office, leaving me to my own devices in the cubicle. I must admit that I never thought I’d be “incarcerated” in a cubicle, thinking that only engineers (I’m a chemist) suffered such a fate, but Steve’s presence made this situation palatable, even enjoyable! Given his unexcelled talents for surfing the Web, he was constantly alerting me to websites that he knew were relevant to my interests but that I would never have discovered on my own. These ranged from informative sites on biotechnology, the program for which I’m responsible in the Center, to much less technical ones, such as the website that had pictures of a colony of bees making its home in a bell jar—I’m a “sideliner” beekeeper and the URL for the photos of this “hive” eventually ended up being posted on the website of the Santa Clara County Beekeepers Guild to be shared with all the beekeepers in the region.

Steve reveled in the unusual and creative, as embodied by his enthusiasm for the engineering associated with my folding bike and for events such as the “Maker Faire”, where all sorts of inventive creations, both serious and playful, are on display. Although I am yet to attend this event, it is on my radar screen and when I do go, Steve will be in my thoughts.

It was a blessing to know this incredibly erudite and sensitive human being, and I deeply miss him.

Jack Gilbert
Director, Biotechnology Program
Center for Science, Technology, and Society