Robert John Sullivan, Jr., one of the world’s foremost authorities on aeolian processes – how wind can carve and change a landscape – died Feb. 15 in Ithaca of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. He was 63.
“Rob was a brilliant scientist. More importantly, Rob was an amazing human being. He was one of the kindest, gentlest, and most compassionate people I have ever met. He was a friend to us all and will be sorely missed,” said Alexander Hayes, the Jennifer and Albert Sohn Professor of astronomy in the College of Arts and Sciences and director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science (CCAPS) where Sullivan was a principal research scientist.
Sullivan’s aeolian expertise was critical to the success of NASA’s rover missions, since wind is the major driver of change on Mars. He worked on every NASA rover mission to the planet, as well as NASA’s Galileo mission to Europa. Most recently, Sullivan served as co-investigator on the Perseverance rover’s Mastcam Z multispectral imaging system and Mars Environmental Dynamics Analyzer, the rover’s weather and atmospheric monitoring suite.
He was also a world leader in wind tunnel experiments, building planetary surfaces with sand to observe how the grains move and uncover the underlying physics involved. His work helped define the field of aeolian processes.
In addition to wind and soil movements on Mars, Sullivan’s research included asteroid surface geology and the geomorphology and tectonics of moons throughout the solar system.
“He looked at the surface as a record of the past. What was the past wind like long ago on Mars, based on the features that you see preserved today that were created by the wind? But not just Mars – he studied surface processes all over the solar system,” said Jim Bell, adjunct professor of astronomy and mission lead on the Perseverance rover mission cameras. “We, and the planetary science community, have lost an icon whose scientific acumen and deeply sincere collegiality and camaraderie will be sorely missed.”
Born February 16, 1962 near Sydney, Australia, Sullivan moved with his family to Sherborn, Mass. in 1970. He was a consummate New Englander, Bell said, and he remained a Boston Red Sox fan all his life, attending a game at Fenway Park as recently as September.
In addition to his love of stargazing, Sullivan’s other interests included sailing and playing on a local softball team. He was devoted to his family, and could always be counted on to help, whether it be building a set for a Lansing High School musical or helping someone put up a barn.
And whenever a rover got stuck in the sand on Mars, he’d get called in to help on that as well.
He received a B.S. degree in geology-physics and mathematics from Brown University and a Ph.D. from Arizona State University.
“His master’s thesis was the most outstanding piece of work I ever saw from a student,” said Michael Malin, Sullivan’s Ph.D. advisor at Arizona State.
The author or co-author of more than 100 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, Sullivan worked as a research associate at Arizona State University for four years before arriving at Cornell in 1997.
Well-known for his humility despite his extensive and important contributions to planetary science, Sullivan was honored for his work with numerous NASA Achievement Awards.
“His many insights and discoveries helped shape our understanding of planetary surfaces and will echo far into the future, yet he was also truly modest and humble about his many achievements, often downplaying them and always sharing or passing credit to colleagues. Most of all, he was one of the kindest, warmest, and gentlest people it’s been my privilege to work with,” said Claire Newman, who worked with Sullivan on the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.
He is survived by his wife, Sue, physics undergraduate and events coordinator; daughters Haley and Kathleen; mother, Barbara Clymer; sister, Marcia Sullivan and brother, Peter Sullivan.
The family will hold calling hours on Sunday, March 8, from 2 to 5 p.m. at Lansing Funeral Home, 32 Auburn Road, Lansing. A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 9, at 11 a.m. at the First Congregational Church of Ithaca, 309 Highland Road. A reception will follow the service.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of the following in Sullivan's memory: Sean M. Healey and AMG Center for ALS, Massachusetts General Hospital Development Office, 125 Nashua Street, Suite 540, Boston, MA 02114; Racker, 3226 Wilkins Road, Ithaca, NY 14850; educational fund for Haley and Kathleen at Beginnings Credit Union. For those wishing to contribute to the college fund, please make checks payable to Susan Sullivan with "college fund" on the memo line and mail to Beginnings Credit Union, 1030 Craft Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.
