Over the span of 25 years, Robert Donald Allison stood in the front of a lecture hall, educating an estimated 25,000 students who went on to become doctors, dentists and chemists.
Allison died Saturday of injuries from a car accident about one month ago. He was 64.
He taught biochemistry and molecular biology, as well as a biochemistry class for first-year medical students.
Unlike most professors, who are required to do research and oversee graduate and post-doctoral students, Allison’s attention was undivided — his role was strictly to teach, a position those who worked with him say he filled admirably.
“He was, in a sense, the teacher’s teacher,” said Dan Purich, who worked closely with Allison throughout his career. “He was a model for the commitment we should have to our students.”
Purich and Allison worked together on three books, two of which, “The Handbook of Biochemical Kinetics” and “The Enzyme Reference,” were published. The third, “The Inhibitor Index,” is still a work in progress, which Purich said he plans to finish.
While they worked on the books, Purich recalled, students were always Allison’s first priority. A student coming by the office meant they would drop what they were doing, and Allison would immediately work to meet the student’s needs.
Bert Flanegan, chairman of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, said Allison would often put aside time on Saturdays to hold help sessions for students.
Aside from Allison’s teaching ability and extra time for students, he was also fun to be around and work with, Flanegan said.
“He had a big, hearty laugh,” he said.
“Usually when you had a discussion with him, he had a humorous point to add to it or to lighten it up a little bit. One thing I certainly will miss is his sense of humor and his laugh.”
Shannon Tocchini, Allison’s niece, said she also remembers how generous her uncle was.
“He was very generous — to a fault. He was more generous to those around him than himself.”
Allison graduated from UCLA and was an army volunteer in the Vietnam War.
A memorial service will be held Dec. 9 at 3:30 p.m. in the auditorium of the Health Professions/Nursing/Pharmacy Complex.
Editor's note: The original article incorrectly spelled Bert Flanegan's name wrong, and the memorial service will be held Thursday, Dec. 9.
