Passing of Dr. Robert Buerki
Dr. Robert Buerki, faculty emeritus, passed away Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Dr. Buerki was a beloved member of The Ohio State University College of Pharmacy community since 1965. Dr. Buerki received his BS degree in pharmacy (1963) and his MS degree in social studies of pharmacy (1967) from the University of Wisconsin, his PhD in adult education and educational development with a minor in history of science (1972) from The Ohio State University, and his MA in public history (1988) from Wright State university. A member of the faculty of the OSU College of Pharmacy, Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science since 1965, Dr. Buerki retired in June 2011 after 46 years of service to the university. As Professor Emeritus, he continued to teach the history of pharmacy and professional ethics on a part-time basis. He served as Secretary-Treasurer, Chairman-Elect, and Chairman of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy (AACP) Section of Continuing Professional Education (1970-79), Secretary-Treasurer, Vice President, and President of Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society (1967-78) and as Historian for both of these organizations. He also served as President-Elect, President and Secretary of the American Institute of the History of Pharmacy (AIHP) (1981-85).
Dr. Buerki authored over 80 articles, book chapters, and books on various aspects of professional ethics and the history of pharmaceutical education, and was the recipient of the National Rho Chi Society Distinguished Service Award (1972 and 1978), the Certificate of Commendation from the AIHP (1987), the AACP Section of Continuing Professional Education's William L. Blockstein Award for sustained contributions to continuing pharmaceutical education (2000), was inducted into the International Academy of the History of Pharmacy (2003), was the recipient of the AIHP's Edward Kremers Award for distinguished pharmaco-historical writing by an American (2004), and the recipient of the Edmund D. Pellegrino Medal for his contributions to health-care ethics (2006).
His contributions to the college and profession were numerous and he will be missed by many.
A memorial service will be held at Temple Beth Or, 5275 Marshall Road, Dayton on Sunday, June 15, at 11:00 a.m. with a condolence meal to follow. Please find Dr. Buerki’s obituary here.