The Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology mourns the passing of our friend and colleague Harvey Lyman
Professor Emeritus Harvey Lyman passed away on July 11, 2025 at the age of 93. Harvey was born in San Francisco and began his academic career at UC Berkeley. After serving as a medic in the US Army during the Korean War, he obtained an MS degree from the University of Washington and then a PhD from Brandeis University. There he began his work on chloroplasts and photosynthesis in the single-celled organism Euglena gracilis, which would remain the focus of his research for the rest of his career. After completing his PhD, Harvey moved to Brookhaven National Laboratory and served as a staff scientist for several years before joining the faculty at Stony Brook in 1969. He retired from Stony Brook in 2015, continuing to live in Port Jefferson with his wife Mary and was a frequent visitor to the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology.
Harvey leaves a legacy of scholarship and service to Stony Brook and the BCB Department. He established the upper division undergraduate Cell Biology class (BIO310) and its reputation as a rigorous course. On a slightly less academic note, Harvey’s popular class on wine introduced a generation of Stony Brook students to the finer points of viniculture. Harvey was also deeply involved in the mentoring and advising of both graduate and undergraduate students, serving at different times as the Graduate Program director and as the Undergraduate Advisor for the Biochemistry major. Two different fellowships, the Harvard Lyman Award for Summer Study and the Harvard Lyman Scholarship in the College of Arts and Sciences, have been established in Harvey’s honor over the years. He will be greatly missed.
For more about Harvey in his own words, click here.
REMEMBRANCES
David Kaback
Harvey arrived sometime towards the end of my sophomore year and was one of the faculty who was always willing to talk to undergrads including myself. I was always thrilled to speak with him about cool things I had learned. His enthusiasm for science was catching. We actually shared knowing an early protozoologist in whose lab I had worked in High school and college. His memory will be a blessing to all who had contact with him.
Ken Marcu
So sorry to hear this news about Harvey's passing. Harvey was one of my Professors when I was an undergraduate student at Stony Brook and years later he was a cherished colleague when I myself became a Professor in the Biochemistry and Cell Biology Dept. What I liked the most about Harvey was his light hearted attitude and always trying to make the best of things. I retired from Stony Brook in 2016 (1 year after Harvey). I will miss him dearly.
Ken Simon
I'm so very sad to hear this news. Harvey was such a great person and dedicated educator. I had so many discussions with him, particularly about the science that sparked my childhood interests in basic science as opposed to that of my career. For example, a class I had as an undergraduate at UCSD taught by a Dr Nathan Kaplan in biochemical anthropology who it turned out was one of Harvey's professors when he was a student at Brandeis. Harvey reminisced about being terrorized by Dr Kaplan with difficult exams and threatened to do the same to our class at Stonybrook. It didn't work, Harvey was too nice, nobody could believe him to be scary. Except for his rule, "no early start to Friday wine and cheese, once you get on that slippery slope, you drink all day". Although it's been many years since we last spoke, my life has only been enriched by knowing him. He will be missed.
Ody Sibon
From 1995-1998 I worked as a postdoc at the Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology in Stony Brook in the lab of William Theurkauf. I loved my time at Stony Brook, the science and environment were great. Many of my best memories were the classes of the wine tasting course organized by Harvey Lyman. I have been at several institutes and Departments during my academic life and I took and gave many classes, but this one was by far the best. The exam was really hard work, with in-depth questions about the theoretical wine-background, fortunately I passed. Harvey organized end-of-the year dinners for all of the participants and he did the wine selection for those. Excellent wines he brought in. I will keep these memories with me. Strength to all of you, Harvey will be missed.
Pamela Rief
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Dr. Harvard Lyman. What an inspirational man who helped so many of his students and colleagues become better! He was the most memorable and talented professor I ever had (among the many outstanding professors at Stony Brook). Although he was incredibly busy, he always seemed available to help me and all of his students. Every moment with him was enriching. He found the time to counsel me when I applied for graduate school, offering me incredibly valuable and personal advice. I didn't choose Harvard U., but I know his impact on my education had much to do with it being my safety school in case I didn't get into another good school. I served as his teaching assistant after being his student, and I also spent a lot of time in a lab near his office; so I spent quite a lot of time with Dr. Lyman during my years at Stony Brook. I can not say enough about Dr. Lyman's integrity, kindness, generosity, and brilliance.
Zach Sawaged
Very sad to hear about his passing - Dr. Lyman was a fantastic mentor. May he rest in peace.
A.C. Antonelli
I met Harvey as an undergraduate at Stony Brook, when he was still the revered "Dr. Lyman" in my mind. After years working different jobs trying to figure out what I wanted to do with my life, I'd gone back to school in my mid-twenties to study biochemistry, and Harvey took me under his wing, affectionately referring to me as a "retread," like a worn-out tire given new life. I still laugh thinking about that. I am now a scientist myself, and frankly I would not be where I am today were it not for Harvey's guidance and encouragement during those years. I will always be grateful for his impact on my life. I will remember him well and fondly.
Cooper Swenson
Dr. Lyman was a brilliant professor and gifted teacher. He made a profound impact on generations of students, including myself, and his legacy will live on through their knowledge.
Malack Hamade
He will be greatly missed; an irreplaceable mentor to myself and many of us.