Dr. Miroslav Synek passed away peacefully and surrounded by family members on May 10, 2016, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born on September 18, 1930 in Prague, Bohemia (now the Czech Republic). He was the son of Frantisek and Anna (Kokrment) Synek, who preceded him in death. Dr. Synek was a university-level educator, researcher, staunch American patriot, and passionate advocate of democracy in the nuclear age. He lived through World War II and both the Nazi and Soviet Union's occupation of his country. He earned a certificate in industrial chemistry from Prague Technical School in 1950, a B.S. in chemistry and physics in 1951, and an M.S. (with distinction) from Charles University in 1956. He was employed as a chemical physicist at the Institute of Industrial Medicine and the Czechoslovak Academy of Sciences.

After immigrating to the United States in 1958, he became a naturalized American citizen in 1963. He earned the Ph.D. in physics in 1962 from the University of Chicago. He was part of a group of theoretical physicists and physical chemists (that included his future brother-in-law Dr. Arnold Christian Wahl) who brought the Quantum Theory into the computer age. This pioneering work became a part of the foundation for computer-generated forecasting technology, such as weather forecasting, etc. He married Rosemarie Wahl, BS, MS, Ph.D. in 1965, and they had two children: Mary Rose Synek, BA, MFA and Thomas Robert Synek, BA, M.D. Dr. Synek was a devoted son, and during the "Czech Spring" of 1968, was able to bring his mother from Mariánsk é Lázně, Czechoslovakia to the U.S.

Dr. Synek was a faculty member at DePaul University in Chicago, Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Texas at San Antonio from 1962 until his retirement in 1991. He served as the advisor of many graduate students, and taught hundreds of undergraduates in physics, chemistry and mathematics courses. One of his most popular courses was Astronomy for non-science majors, that had to be scheduled in ever larger auditoriums due to student demand.

Dr. Synek's research led to about 40 publications in peer-reviewed scientific journals such as the Journal of Chemical Physics, International Journal of Quantum Chemistry, etc. Also, about 50 abstracted papers presented at professional conferences. Following his seminal work titled Analytical Relativistic Self-Consistent Field Theory, involving the heavy element uranium, he turned his attention to theoretical, computer-generated, quantum-mechanical studies of laser active elements in the lanthanide series, such as neodymium and dysprosium. After his retirement from university teaching, he turned his attention to cosmology, and the probability of intelligent life in the universe. His calculated value, published in 1995, was 10 2+/-2 , resulting in a range of 1 (we are alone) to 10,000. During the remaining years of his life, 1995-2016, he was a consultant on world affairs, devoting most of his energy to promulgating his conviction that Democracy and free elections are an historical necessity in the nuclear age.

Many honors were bestowed upon Dr. Synek, including Fellow in the following organizations: American Physical Society (Life Fellow), The American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Institute of Chemists (on Editorial Board), and the Texas Academy of Science. He was a life member of the Society of the Sigma Xi. He received a commendation from the AAUP (American Association of University Professors) for 50 years of meritorious service.

Dr. Synek was active in the Czech-American community, specifically the Bexar County Czech Heritage Society of Texas. He was a member of St. Luke's Catholic Church Men' s Club. He also volunteered his time as a science fair judge for San Antonio local schools.

Dr. Synek is survived by his former wife of 25 years (1965-1990) Dr. Rosemarie Wahl, daughter Mary Rose Synek (Darryl Anthony Diluzio), son Dr. Thomas Robert Synek (Amanda Kirby, RN BSN), grandchildren Spencer Synek Diluzio, Sarah Estelle Synek and Jonathan Thomas Synek.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Luke's Men's Club, the Bob Ross Senior Center, or Morningside Ministries.

MEMORIAL SERVICE

A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, May 14th at 10:00 A.M. at the Morningside Manor Chapel, 602 Babcock Rd. with a reception to follow at 11:00 A.M.