Richard E. Stanton

Professor Richard E. Stanton, a popular physical chemistry instructor at Canisius College, widely known for his research in theoretical chemistry, died August 23rd, 2023 at Buffalo General Hospital with his beloved family by his side. He lived a long and complete life as a brilliant scientist, and a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. His legacy remains an enormous contribution to the field of quantum chemistry, and the five strong and independent children he raised to adulthood together with the woman he loved.

Born in New York City in 1931 and raised in Brooklyn, NY, he never forgot his Brooklyn-Irish upbringing. At the age of 16 he attended Niagara University where he graduated, summa cum laude, with a degree in chemistry. In 1957 he earned a PhD in Theoretical Chemistry from Notre Dame University. It was at Notre Dame that he met Mary Zappia, who was also a graduate student. He and Mary left Notre Dame as husband and wife and partners for the remainder of his life.

As a young chemist, Dick Stanton’s research focused on theoretical chemistry, primarily quantum chemistry. He published 21 times in the Journal of Physical Chemistry with countless citations. Throughout his career he made significant contributions to molecular electronic structure theory - the application of quantum mechanics to predict the structure and properties of molecules. Today the theory has become a practical tool widely employed in hundreds of scientific institutions including NASA, Moderna, and the DuPont Chemical Company. The early development of quantum theory was in the second quarter of the 20th century leading to Nobel prizes for Heisenberg, Schroedinger, Dirac and other physicists. The second half of the 20th century saw the beginning of chemical applications of quantum theory. Molecules are tiny mechanical systems with electrons moving around the heavier nuclei subject to strong electrical forces, weaker magnetic forces, and negligibly weak gravitational forces, but classical mechanics were hopelessly inadequate to understand the particulars of molecules and matter. The equations of motion needed to be solved using quantum mechanics, and it took several decades and hundreds of scientists to develop new mathematical methods. Dick was one of this community of hard-working scientists who advanced the understanding of matter. Dick Stanton made significant contributions to perturbation theory and is credited as the originator of the concept of "kinetic balance," the key principle for stable relativistic computations.

In 1970 he was awarded a research fellowship from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The fellowship and grant brought his research to Ireland and England, where he spent the year with his wife and children exploring every bit of heritage they could find. His accolades and keen intellect notwithstanding, Dick ever remained a thoughtful colleague, a generous educator, and a model of humility.

Outside the academy, Dick was an avid golfer, a lover of dogs both large and small, and a prolific gardener. He lived each day with a feisty determination, perhaps best exemplified in his unwavering faith in the Buffalo Bills. For years he held season tickets so he could invite a lucky friend to each game.

Dick lived in Amherst, NY with his wife, Mary, and was the father of William Stanton (Eu Meng Lam), Dr. Michael Stanton (Marian), Meg Steffan (Tom), Richard Stanton, Esq. (Eva Na Chen) and Rory Stanton. He loved his grandchildren Mary Rose Steffan, Andrew Steffan, Daniel Stanton, Erin Stanton, Eleanor Stanton, and Rachel Stanton, who gave him joy in the present, and hope for the future. He is also survived by one brother, Kenneth Stanton (Marguerite) and many beloved nieces and nephews. Family and friends may call Sunday, August 27th, from 3-6 pm at the Dengler Roberts Perna Funeral Home, 8630 Transit Rd., East Amherst. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Monday, August 28th, 10:30 am at St. Benedict RC Church 1317 Eggert Rd. at Main St., Eggertsville. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.DenglerRobertsPernafuneral.com for the Stanton family.