Robert Bird

MADISON- Robert Byron Bird, age 96 passed away on Friday, November 13, 2020 in Madison, Wisconsin.  He was born on February 5, 1924 in Bryan, Texas to the late Byron and Ethel Bird.  After serving in the Army as an officer in the 90 ^th Chemical Mortar Battalion during WWII, Bob dedicated his life to teaching, writing and research.  Bob received his PhD from the University of Wisconsin where he continued for over 60 years as a professor in the Chemical Engineering department and as Professor Emeritus after his retirement.  Bob is known for his research, books and papers on Transport Phenomena of Non-Newtonian fluids, including fluid dynamics of polymers, polymer kinetic theory and rheology.  He lectured and taught internationally and received numerous awards including the National Medal of Science in 1987 awarded by President Ronald Reagan, the Bingham Medal in 1974 and Eringen Medal in 1983.

Bob was fascinated by foreign languages and spoke eight fluently and authored several books in and on the Japanese and Dutch languages.  He was granted the Dutch title Ridder in de Orde van Oranje-Nassau for his "exceptional contributions to the promotion of Dutch language and culture in the United States and at the University of Wisconsin."  He loved hiking, canoeing, writing limericks, creating puzzles and hot chocolate.  He loved opera, classical music and was an accomplished pianist, organist and composer.  Bob was an avid genealogist, authoring several books on his family heritage.

Bob is survived by his brother John Bird and John’s wife Patricia of McKinney, Texas along with 3 nieces and 2 nephews, their spouses, their children and grandchildren.

In lieu of a funeral service, Bob wanted to sponsor an organ concert to be held at St Andrews Episcopal Church, Madison.  Due to current conditions this concert will be held in his memory at a later date.

A private burial service will be held in Fort Dodge, Iowa where Bob will be laid to rest next to his parents.

In lieu of sending flowers please make donations in his memory to the University of Wisconsin Foundation at the following link: www.supportuw.org/giveto/BirdMemorial .