Family members, colleagues and friends of the revolutionary professor, Carl R. Woese, gathered at his memorial Saturday. Woese is renowned for his discovery of archaea, the third domain of life, and adopting a “molecular approach to classifying organisms.”

Woese died at 84-years-old on Dec. 30. The Institute for Genomic Biology, or IGB, along with other departments in the University held the memorial at the Levis Faculty Center, 919 W. Illinois St.  

Gene Robinson, IGB director, opened the memorial and introduced each speaker. He said not only did Woese change the course of biology with his discovery of the “third domain of life,” he also was a deep and inspirational influence to several people.

The memorial featured many speakers including University President Robert Easter and Chancellor Phyllis Wise. Guests were also encouraged to share their stories about the influential professor. 

Easter said he is confident Woese’s story will be remembered.

“It was the characteristics of the University, the honest dialogue, mutual support, academic freedom and tolerance for revolutionary ideas that made it possible for Woese to prosper here,” Easter said. “The challenge for those of us who remain is to sustain that culture, not just for ourselves, but for generations to come. We owe him nothing less than that.”

Larry Gold, longtime friend of Woese and professor from the University of Colorado Boulder, also spoke at the memorial.

The friends, who met when Gold was 19, talked about how the professor loved young people because they were “like sponges who were able to absorb knowledge easily.” He also described Woese as having an “impish sense of humor” because of how he liked to play jokes on others.

Gold told a story about a time when he tried to hire Woese, but when his interviewers laughed at how Woese recited the ribosomal RNA sequences, Woese scolded the interviewers.

“He said, don’t titter at ribosomal RNA sequences; they are sacred,” Gold said. “I knew two things then. One was that I loved him more, and I knew that the department wasn’t going to offer him a job.” 

Gold ended his speech by listing some of Woese’s rules.

“Follow your passions. Study what you insist is important. Surround yourself with good people who like to giggle. Work hard. Respect the history of science. And be respectful of the lineages that got us here.”

The next speaker, Nigel Goldenfeld, a University physics professor, described Woese as an inspiring man because of his open-mindedness and the guidance he gave others. He said Woese’s sense of humor made working with him a lot of fun because they would make jokes and word play together.

“No detail was too small to be gone over again and again and honed until it was perfect,” Goldenfeld said. “Carl’s ability to focus was extraordinary.”

Richard Herman, a University professor of education policy, organization and leadership, spoke of Woese’s last few months.

“When Carl was diagnosed last summer, he knew he was dying,” Herman said. “Yet he chose to continue conversations and seeing people because Carl always chose life.”

Jacqui can be reached at [email protected].