Robert C. Fay

Robert C. Fay (88) Robert Clinton Fay, 88, of Springfield, Virginia died peacefully at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Bob was born on March 14, 1936, in Kenosha, WI to the late Clinton Edward and Selma Lenz Fay and is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Carol L. Baker, his sister, Ruthanne (Clifford Blissett) of Wauwatosa, WI. He is pred-deceased by his brother, William (Barbara Fay) of Overland Park, KS. Bob was educated in the Kenosha public schools and was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Oberlin College. After a year of graduate work in biblical literature at Wheaton Graduate School, Bob went on to the University of Illinois, where he received M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in inorganic chemistry. Bob was then appointed to a faculty position at Cornell University, where he taught general and inorganic chemistry for 45 years. Known for his clear, well-organized lectures, Bob was the 1980 recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Clark Distinguished Teaching Award. He has also taught as a visiting professor at Harvard University and at the University of Bologna (Italy) and has been an NSF Science Faculty Fellow at the University of East Anglia and the University of Sussex (England) and a NATO Senior Fellow at Oxford University. During his graduate studies, he worked for four summers as an inorganic chemist at the National Bureau of Standards in Washington, DC. Bob has published numerous research papers and review articles and is the coauthor of eight editions of two general chemistry textbooks. His research focused on the stereochemistry and molecular rearrangements of metal chelate compounds. Bob was a member of The Falls Church Anglican in Falls Church, VA. Prior to moving to Virginia, he was a member of Bethel Grove Bible Church in Ithaca, where he served as an elder, adult education teacher, and church pianist. Bob loved classical music and was a regular attender of the Fairfax Symphony Orchestra. At Cornell, he was a founding board member of Chesterton House, a center for Christian studies, and for more than 40 years was the faculty advisor for the Cornell chapters of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. Bob saw no contradiction between his Christian faith and his devotion to science. Memorial service will be held on Thursday, April 3, 2025, 1PM, Greenspring Continuing Care Residential Community Chapel, 7430 Spring Village Drive, Springfield, VA 22152. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: The Falls Church Anglican 6565 Arlington Blvd., Third Floor Falls Church, VA 22042 Greenspring Pastoral Ministries Canterbury Square Hunter’s Crossing 7430 Spring Village Drive Springfield, VA 22150 Greenspring Village Philanthropy 7410 Spring Village Drive Springfield, VA 22150

Tributes

Robert C. Fay

March 14, 1936 - February 6, 2025