Welcome to the memorial page for
Dr. Robert L. deZafra
February 15, 1932 ~ October 10, 2017 (age 85) 85 Years Old Light a Candle
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Message from MaryAnn Johnston - President Affiliated Broohaven Civic Org.
October 17, 2017 3:09 PM
ABCO, and I personally, are deeply saddened to learn of the untimely passing of our teacher, mentor, good friend, and all-around 21st century Renaissance man, Bob de Zafra. We send our sincere condolences to Julie, his wife, and the entire de Zafre family.
It is almost impossible to list the number of things that this wonderful, civic-minded scientist was involved and interested in or to begin to calculate his impact on our communities. His willingness to share his knowledge with others was especially important and valued. Never once when I reached out to him for assistance, information or support did he turn me down. I find it very difficult to imagine what his Three Village community along with Brookhaven Town might have easily become without Bob’s relentless, tireless, learned expertise, guidance and earnest knowledge based advocacy. I remember his willingness to teach a middle-aged, novice civic leader how to "make a record" and to advocate for meaningful change and impact.
I, and ABCO were truly blessed to have known and worked with Bob. We were grateful beneficiaries of his knowledge, guidance and insightful assistance for so many years. Whether working on open space preservation, clean water and air, for or against laws or code changes, public transparency and disclosure, engaging local communities, or advancing simple plain old common sense solutions to some of our most complex problems...Bob was always an important voice and on target.
Truly he was indeed a most diverse and complex human being. Bob sometimes played the role of the resident realist and necessary pragmatist, but also very often was a most effective 'rabble rouser". He lend his talents and voice unselfishly, and so often used them to start some of the really important discussions LI'ers needed to have, to promote real change. Bob's work included working with others to create Brookhaven's Historic Districts and the Town's Historic District Advisory Committee (HDAC).
As the former Three Village Civic president, Shawn Nuzzo, noted; Bob was probably the only person on the planet to have both an Antarctic Mountain Ridge and a German Heavy Metal Band named after him! Bob de Zafre was a true Renaissance Man!
DeZafra Ridge (79°17′S 157°27′ECoordinates: 79°17′S 157°27′E) is a narrow but prominent rock ridge, 5 nautical miles (9 km) long, which extends north from the northeast cliffs of Longhurst Plateau in the Cook Mountains of Antarctica. The ridge is 2.5 nautical miles (5 km) west of Fault Bluff and rises 350 metres (1,150 ft) above the ice surface north of the plateau. It was named after Robert L. deZafra, Professor of Physics at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, whose research at the South Pole and McMurdo Sound provided breakthrough contributions to understanding the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole.
We can't imagine a world without him and shall miss him always. We humans owe much to Bob de Zafre, let us honor his legacy and ensure his work continues...let us always pay it forward.
It is almost impossible to list the number of things that this wonderful, civic-minded scientist was involved and interested in or to begin to calculate his impact on our communities. His willingness to share his knowledge with others was especially important and valued. Never once when I reached out to him for assistance, information or support did he turn me down. I find it very difficult to imagine what his Three Village community along with Brookhaven Town might have easily become without Bob’s relentless, tireless, learned expertise, guidance and earnest knowledge based advocacy. I remember his willingness to teach a middle-aged, novice civic leader how to "make a record" and to advocate for meaningful change and impact.
I, and ABCO were truly blessed to have known and worked with Bob. We were grateful beneficiaries of his knowledge, guidance and insightful assistance for so many years. Whether working on open space preservation, clean water and air, for or against laws or code changes, public transparency and disclosure, engaging local communities, or advancing simple plain old common sense solutions to some of our most complex problems...Bob was always an important voice and on target.
Truly he was indeed a most diverse and complex human being. Bob sometimes played the role of the resident realist and necessary pragmatist, but also very often was a most effective 'rabble rouser". He lend his talents and voice unselfishly, and so often used them to start some of the really important discussions LI'ers needed to have, to promote real change. Bob's work included working with others to create Brookhaven's Historic Districts and the Town's Historic District Advisory Committee (HDAC).
As the former Three Village Civic president, Shawn Nuzzo, noted; Bob was probably the only person on the planet to have both an Antarctic Mountain Ridge and a German Heavy Metal Band named after him! Bob de Zafre was a true Renaissance Man!
DeZafra Ridge (79°17′S 157°27′ECoordinates: 79°17′S 157°27′E) is a narrow but prominent rock ridge, 5 nautical miles (9 km) long, which extends north from the northeast cliffs of Longhurst Plateau in the Cook Mountains of Antarctica. The ridge is 2.5 nautical miles (5 km) west of Fault Bluff and rises 350 metres (1,150 ft) above the ice surface north of the plateau. It was named after Robert L. deZafra, Professor of Physics at the State University of New York, Stony Brook, whose research at the South Pole and McMurdo Sound provided breakthrough contributions to understanding the formation of the Antarctic ozone hole.
We can't imagine a world without him and shall miss him always. We humans owe much to Bob de Zafre, let us honor his legacy and ensure his work continues...let us always pay it forward.
Message from Laurie Billadello
October 16, 2017 8:08 PM
Bob has been an amazing force in the Three Village Community. I had the enormous pleasure of meeting and working with him through his endeavors with the Three Village Historical Society. Although he will probably be most remembered for his fierce passion for historical and environmental preservation, I choose to remember his quirky sense of humor and shy demeanor. May his star shine bright in our night sky.
Message from Peter Scully
October 16, 2017 7:42 AM
Bob was not a particularly large man, but he leaves a huge legacy as measured by the ways in which he contributed to the betterment of the Three Village community and made it a better place. The things Bob helped make possible, including the preservation of a large number of open space parcels which would otherwise have been developed, will benefit all future generations, in perpetuity. His feisty nature and willingness to express his views on issues of importance also made Bob very special. He will be sorely missed.
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