Feel free to send your remembrances of Andrew to Celia for inclusion here.
From John Somoza:
From Chester Drum:
I was Andrew's first graduate student, however, he played a far more fundamental role in my life. We worked together on an extremely complex crystallographic problem over the span of four years. Andrew's approach to mentorship in science was to embrace all aspects, both inside and outside the laboratory, fully -- to deeply care about those who looked up to him.
Andrew had one of the deepest intellects of anyone I have ever met and at the same time had incredible humility which made it easy for even people of more limited means, like myself, to learn from him and enjoy the act of discovery on their own. It is almost impossible to imagine a world without Andrew's positive spirit. However, as with all tragedies, there must be a silver lining. That silver lining is inside all of us who worked with, learned from, and ultimately loved, Andrew. That we carry his all-encompassing love for nature and family forward in our hearts, that will be a powerful part of his legacy.
Andrew, you were far more than a scientific influence in my life, you opened your heart and your family and showed me what it was to be a husband, a father and a scientist, in the most profound sense of the word.
Thank you, Andrew.
From Rachelle Gaudet:
Andrew was a mensch, as Joel Hisrch, would say, a true mensch. It was an honor to be mentored by him, and I learned so much about techniques, approaches, and how to conduct myself as a scientist, and I still use these lessons daily. One small example: last Friday I took out a reprint from our Cell paper on phosducin (old school, but I still have them in my file cabinets in my office), the figure that Andrew designed to show all the interactions of phosducin on transducin beta-gamma to my student and postdoc working on a manuscript. We’re trying to build a figure that layers sequence information onto a structure and I wanted them to see the original inspiration – still a thing of beauty.
From Joel Bard:
In 1999, as I was finishing grad school as an electrophysiologist I decided that I wanted to do a post-doc in x-ray crystallography without knowing anything about what the field actually involved. I asked Rachelle Gaudet, then a postdoc in the Wiley lab, if it was reasonable to make a switch like that and, if so, was there anyone she could recommend as a potential advisor. She said, “I know just the person for you”, and gave me Andrew’s contact info. I couldn’t have been more fortunate. Andrew and Celia were just getting established at Boston Biomedical Research Institute. There was no known structure of a poly-A polymerase at the time. Andrew had already developed a purification and found crystallization conditions for the yeast version of the enzyme and handed me the project on a silver platter. He had to teach me everything: How to purify protein, how to set up crystallization drops, how to do heavy atom soaks, how to freeze crystals and collect data, how to use unix (we weren’t even using linux yet, we were working on SGI’s and a DEC alpha). He made sure I at least tried to understand what was going on every time I ran one program or another to calculate this and that on the way to a structure. At one point he even had me trying to construct an electron density map by drawing contours on transparencies.
As I mentioned, we started in 1999 and worked on the project into 2000. Andrew was worried that the Y2K bug would break our computers so we spent a lot of time between Christmas 1999 and New Year's Eve backing everything up to tape. I remember spending New Year's Eve in the lab watching the computers to see if they'd freak out...nothing happened. In the end, we got the structure and a Science paper working side-by-side the whole time and having a lot of fun in the process. Andrew created a friendly working environment and lab culture. There were great parties at the Bohm/Harrison house in Stoneham and a bike trip to Cape Cod that got extended for an extra night when the last ferry back to Boston was canceled due to an on-board fire. Andrew always encouraged me to get my hands dirty and really dig into what needed to be done rather than just following recipes. His mentorship and that approach to doing science have stood me well ever since.
From Khalayi Martha:
Andrew was not only an exceptional boss but also someone who I came to consider a mentor and friend, and his passing has left a void that words can hardly express. His warmth, kindness, and remarkable leadership touched the lives of many, including mine. I feel truly fortunate to have known him and to have had the opportunity to work alongside him, and to have gotten to know him. My life's trajectory would have been starkly different had I not met him, and I mourn his loss.
From Marti, Katrin, Beat Junker & Family:
Having an ocean between us, we had a distant, but warm relationship with our nephew and cousin Andrew. Nevertheless, we have many happy memories of those occasions on which we happened to see each other.
During the two summers that Andrew spent with our family back in the 1980s, he was a keen and capable helper for the renovation of our house, a highly appreciated support to the family with two small children. In return, he cherished the small family pleasures like swimming in the Töss River, a barbecue over an open fire in our garden or listening to the frogs at night. Sharing a fascination for nature, and especially for the mountains with his uncle Kus, Andrew loved it when Kus and his friends took him rock climbing or hiking in the Alps.
In 1988, when he came to visit us on his bike trip through Europe, we admired him for cycling hundreds of kilometers through various countries. Before sending his bike home to the US, he gave it a thorough cleaning in our garden, and he taught us how to use a toothbrush for best results. – A super helpful piece of advice; I still clean my bike with an old toothbrush!
Along with these memories of a long time ago, we also remember the warm welcome Andrew and Celia gave us when we visited them in Boston, or the wonderful time we shared in the Swiss mountains in 2012. We feel very sad that we will not be able to meet each other again in person, but Andrew will stay in our hearts forever as the very special person he used to be.
Mir händ dich gern gha!
From Athan Kuliopulos:
From Amy Yee and Eric Paulson:
Andrew was my longtime department colleague and truly one of the good guys here. I could always count on Andrew for a great discussion, regardless of the topic. And, he did so much for the students and post-docs to enrich the atmosphere at Tufts. We will surely miss Andrew and his smile, but our heart breaks for his family--who was his core. Andrew and we were UC Berkeley alumni. He borrowed Eric's UC Berkeley regalia at the last minute to confer a college diploma on his daughter-- a special moment for any parent. In looking back, we are glad to contribute in this very small way to his family. Our sincerest sympathies to all of you, but do know that your father (husband, brother) was truly one of the good persons in all that he did.
From Karen and Pat Fleming:
We will always remember his cheeky grin, how he loved to tinker, his homemade autopilot, the canvas he sewed on his antique Singer, which he got for a cheap price, in line with his reputation as “lowball Bohm”, forging new trails in the woods, the happiness when the wind brushed his cheek on that perfect point of sail, how he once used the dinghy to pull the bow of the big boat out so we could depart customs in the Caribbean, his boundless optimism and altruism, and most of all his love for Celia and his family. “His life was gentle, and the elements so mix’d in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world ‘This was man’”. Indeed, we join in this chorus.
From Karl Munger:
Andrew has been a brilliant researcher, an inspirational mentor and teacher, and an amazing colleague who always stepped up and helped. He was always optimistic, never bitter and there was always a smile on his face. He was generous and shaped the careers of countless students and postdoctoral fellows at Tufts. The thought that he is no longer with us is heart wrenching.
From Paul Phelan:
It was truly a privilege to have known Andrew for 15 years at Tufts. To have known him in any capacity would have been great, but to have had the privilege to work closely with him and the rest of the Bohm lab in every iteration throughout the years was extra special. Still in disbelief at this loss.
From Roberto Dominguez:
I have many great memories of Andrew. In many ways, I view him as an example to follow. He was remarkably knowledgeable and intelligent, while being modest and extremely generous. He always had a positive attitude and a welcoming smile. He was a problem solver, and his opinions were typically balanced and on-target. We have all lost a great man, educator, scientist, friend, and colleague.
From Hartmut Wohlrab:
From Kevin Slep:
Andrew was such a source of light and inspiration to me in the Sigler lab. He was creative, taught me how to think differently about science, and to be balanced and pursue my passions - both in science and beyond. I will miss him dearly and mourn our loss.
From Monica Morrison:
So precious Andrew was. I don’t have words. One memory is sliding down the staircase on a piece of cardboard. We were silly kids. Andrew grew into the most amazing man and was truly a great man, husband, and father! I am so sorry this tragic accident happened.
From Franco Puleo:
Andrew was a kind, patient, and supportive professor. He inspired me to pursue science. I will be forever thankful for the impact he had on my life.
From Mali Raman:
When I interviewed at Tufts for a faculty position 7 years ago, Andrew went to dinner with me and two other faculty. I drove him home since he lived in Newton too. He was so warm and friendly- refreshingly free of ego. I think I joined Tufts because I thought it would be a good place if someone like Andrew worked there. I will miss him dearly.
From David Lambright:
I was truly fortunate to know him when we were postdocs in Paul Sigler's lab at Yale. I learned a lot from him about crystallography and life as well. We co-authored papers together and shared a variety of interesting experiences, which were always enriched by Andrew's thoughtful perspective, genuinely positive outlook, considerate nature, passion for science, family, friends, sailing, and so much more. I remember the (sometimes twice) daily walks to Willoughby's for fresh dark roasted coffee and of course stimulating conversation along the way. I also recall Andrew spending hours helping Brian set a precession camera (old school at that point but Paul insisted it was crucial). It required meticulous alignment, and Andrew was perhaps the only one in the lab who knew how to set it up. After critically examining the photograph, Paul decided to demonstrate how it was really done. Ten minutes of grunting and a fair bit of cursing later, Paul stormed out, having completely dislodged the carefully aligned camera. True to form, Andrew took it all in stride. Just another day at the lab. Through Andrew I had the good fortune to know Celia, who was a star postdoc in the Kuriyan lab at Rockefeller. Celia is also an outstanding scientist with a passion for science, sailing and many mutual as well as complimentary interests she shared with Andrew. One day they were generous enough to invite me to sail with them on Long Island Sound, which was riddled with lobster pots. Andrew kept a keen eye out for the pots, which he scrupulously avoided. At one point we came across a high density of them, all of which he deftly avoided except one. When the boat came to an abrupt halt, Andrew sprang into action and after a dive in chilly water to disentangle the fouled line, we were underway again as though nothing had happened. It's nice hanging with friends who know what to do when the unexpected happens. Being in the area, it was also great to catch up with them, Gretchen and others at pig roasts hosted by Jonathan. The abrupt resolution and crazy sad circumstances notwithstanding, Andrew understood how life should be lived, and when lived well, how it could enrich the lives of everyone around him, including myself. Though absent now and deeply missed, Andrew lives on in the collective memory of his family and many friends.
From Artie Jackson:
I am so sad about the senseless and tragic loss of Andrew. We used to ride the commuter rail train to Boston each morning prior to the pandemic. While I unfortunately cannot recall our many conversations in detail, I will always remember Andrew as being one of the smartest, kindest and most generous person I have ever known. I know he was very passionate about his family, his students, his work and sailing. I really enjoyed fixing up the boat he had acquired a few years ago and sailing back and forth to Maine.
I will miss his companionship and will try to live by his outstanding example. Our community is much worse without Andrew in it.
May his memory always be a blessing.
From Sung-Hou and Rosie Kim:
Andrew was my graduate student at UC Berkeley Chemistry Department. He was a conscientious hard worker, always willing to help others in the group. Andrew’s smiling face will be remembered. He always participated in our various group outings. We last met with Andrew almost 10 years ago when we visited Boston, he brought us up to date on his career at Tufts and his family. This is a tragic loss and our thoughts go out to Celia and their two children.
We send our heartfelt condolences.
From Donna and Kane:
For our beloved soulmate scientist. Thank you for every win for the Humanity. We share this love with the Bohm family.
From Kathyrn Phillips:
Andrew was always the kindest, gentlest, most generous soul you could ever wish to know. I have been recalling precious memories of Andrew from Berkeley days; coffee at Stradas, sailing on The Bay, dim sum in Chinatown, tales about his pet iguana and skunk. Andrew was always at the heart of the Woodshop. He lit up every life he touched, but none more so than the lives of Celia, Remy and Gil.
From Di Pierce:
This is an ongoing affirmation, but Andrew was one of the kindest professors to work with. My co-worker Karen’s last task before retiring was proctoring an exam for Andrew. She told me that was a very fitting way to end her time at Tufts.
Andrew was professional, fun, and engaging. I saw him in early August, and he wanted to know all about my retirement. I was very fortunate to have known him. He will be sorely missed.
From George and Lynn Celler:
Five years ago we were blessed to discover that we were related to Andrew. We are heartbroken that we had only a short time to bond with such a kind, gentle, and generous cousin, but we feel grateful that fate brought us together. Celia and Andrew always had time to be with us, when we visited from New Jersey. For our first meeting they hosted us on their sail boat and we had a wonderful day cruising in Boston Harbor.
From Josh Shin:
Andrew, Peter, and I sailed to Rockport, MA, in the summer of 2014. I got motion sickness during the entire trip. The next morning, Andrew made some hot tea for me, and we had it with Bach's violin concertos, one of my life's best moments.
From Jennifer Gikas:
I’m heartbroken to hear of Andrew;s passing. Andrew and I became friends senior year in high school when I joined the crew for the school musical. He was kind and generous and patiently showed me how to build sets. He welcomed me into his circle of friends and I had my best year in school. I have many wonderful memories of camping and biking, cooking Chinese food with his family, having milkshakes at Friendlys, and watching movies. He was always enthusiastic and optimistic and unique. While we lost touch over the years, I treasure the memories of the happy times we shared.
From Erika Pearson:
To an innovative, patient, and kind scientific mentor - you will be greatly missed!
From Detlef Schmidt:
Andrew and I were members in the Sung-Hou Kim group in the Calvin Lab at UC Berkeley. We overlapped by several years. I knew him well. We also went on a few Kim group outings together.
On one Kim group ski trip the accelerator cable of my VW van broke. As far as I remember, to continue driving, I was sitting in the driver seat while Andrew was sitting above the engine in the back of the Van and pulling the accelerator cable according to my command. That worked! We made it to Tahoe. Later, he helped me to repair the Van. That was Andrew. Always ready to help.
Especially I also remember the weekly beer club get others we had in the crystallographer computer room on the first floor of the Calvin Lab. We had many great discussions there about God and the world. I think this is also were Andrew met Celia.
People go, but memories remain. Take care Andrew, wherever you are.
From Rebecca Condruti:
Andrew was one of the most genuine professors I have ever met, and I am so grateful to have had the chance to know him. He was endlessly kind as my TAC chair and excited to collaborate with our lab on a new mutagenesis protocol his lab had developed.
I took two of Andrew’s structural biology courses and, for how difficult crystallography is, I was always excited to go to class because of how positive and encouraging he was to all of us. We felt capable and valued no matter how silly of a question we asked.
My favorite memory is when Andrew took our journal club out on his sailboat equipped with a bottle of prosecco. When I asked to steer the boat he didn’t hesitate to say yes. He was so patient while I overturned the boat back and forth; Maria Brouard and I laughed about how nice it was to hear positive validation. It was clear that his dedication to teaching extended beyond the bench to one of his favorite hobbies. Every time I talk about journal club I tell this story - I hope his family knows just how much we appreciated Andrew as a one-of-a-kind professor.
From Jay Pandit:
I worked with Andrew when he was a Graduate student and I a post-doc in the Kim Lab at UC Berkeley. I worked closely with him on what became his Ph. D. project.
I have many memories of Andrew, but most of all, I remember his smiling face, which he had at most times. He was kind and gentle, and very thoughtful about everything he did.
Andrew was loved by all who knew him. I hope that God gives Celia strength to cope with his loss.
From Anita Ballesteros:
Over the years, Andrew was always so incredibly welcoming and kind and caring towards me, with his easy smile and gentle voice, and it has always been such a comfort and joy to be welcomed into your home and family.
From Marta Maria Gaglia:
Andrew was so generous with his time, expertise, and kindness. He was a central part of my years at Tufts as I taught in his class and we served on many student committees together. I am so grateful for how he made me always feel welcome and how he supported the students in my lab in their journey. I will always remember him.
From James Gordon:
Andrew was a wonderful friend and mentor during my time as a postdoc in his lab. Moving over to the US from England was quite a daunting experience. However, Andrew, Celia and their family made an extra effort to make me feel at home. I'll never forget the fishing trip to Buzzards Bay where we caught so many bluefish that we didn't know where to put them. They made an excellent smoked pate though!
From Martin Kerschus:
We bonded over our love of animals, nature and the outdoors. You welcomed me into your family for several years and were like a brother to me. We rode our bicycles countless miles around Westchester, played frisbee at Edgemont, hiked the Appalachian Trail for a week and even cycled all of Cape Cod in one day. The world is a better place for having you in it.
From Anamika Mourya:
Dr. Andrew Bohm was a remarkable scholar, a compassionate mentor, and a beacon of positivity. His academic prowess was matched only by the tenderness of his heart and his captivating, charismatic smile that could light up a room. The warmth he exuded extended far beyond the confines of his laboratory, touching the lives of all fortunate enough to know him.
For me, he was a ray of hope in the midst of a dim room filled with relentless efforts and despair. The path to a meaningful career in research in United States with visa restrictions can be long and uncertain, but Dr. Bohm's unwavering faith and trust in me provided an invaluable opportunity to join him in his laboratory. He was not just my Principal Investigator; he became a close friend, a confidant, and a source of unwavering support. It was our cherished routine to begin the day with casual conversations, sharing about our families, cultures, and the festivals that shaped our lives. He had a remarkable ability to embrace different cultures, and he also had a particular fondness for Indian savories, which we shared and relished together.
Dr. Bohm's availability was a constant source of comfort for us. Whether it was unraveling the mysteries of complex protein chemistry or deciphering the intricacies of a challenging experiment, he was always there to guide and encourage. He was not just a scientist but a skilled technician as well. He loved tinkering and meticulously repairing laboratory equipment, displaying a unique blend of precision and dedication. He would regale us with captivating stories of his journeys on the vast sea, generously sharing beautiful photos and anecdotes that never failed to spark our imaginations. I vividly recall the last image he sent, featuring adorable puffins from his recent sailing trip in Maine.
He would always mention "If you want to be in Science, you will be in Science". These words and his memories will forever be etched in my heart, a constant reminder of never giving up on your dreams.
I miss him everyday.
From Maria Brouard:
I had met Andrew in 2019 when he was my Biochem small group leader. He was always willing to stay after class to answer any questions I had. In 2021, I started teaching Biochem small groups, and he was always at the content review meetings to go over how to make sure we properly communicated the information to students. I always remember him smiling and asking questions. Last year, I had a problem in my PhD lab, and I had to change programs. Andrew was the first interaction I had with CMDB, and he welcomed me into the journal club. In fact, I was only two days into the program, and he told me to join the rest of the journal club on his boat. It was the FIRST time I had ever been on a boat like this, and it was SO COOL to learn about all the procedures you need to do to get the boat ready. He was teaching us about sailing and science at the same time! This was one of the experiences that helped me realize I made the right decision to leave my other lab and start in a program that supported me. I am so happy Andrew was the first person to be part of that transition for me.