Bruce A. Kowert, Ph.D.: 1942-2026

Bruce A. Kowert, Ph.D., emeritus professor of chemistry at Saint Louis University, died March 20, 2026. He was 84.

Kowert was a long-time professor at SLU.

"Bruce was a steady voice in the Department of Chemistry," said R. Scott Martin, Ph.D., associate dean in the School of Science and Engineering. "He is one of the pillars of the department's research success today. As an Emeritus Professor, he was still a daily presence in the department, diligently working on manuscripts. The Department of Chemistry was a big part of his family, and he will be sorely missed."

Kowert, a native Texan, earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 1964. While a student, he was a member of the university's marching band.

Kowert also pursued his doctorate at the University of Texas-Austin, where he conducted research under the direction of Allen Bard, a pioneer in the then-emerging field of electrochemistry. After receiving his Ph.D. in 1971, he did post-doctoral work at the University of Basel and the University of California, Los Angeles.

His first academic appointment was as a visiting assistant professor of chemistry at Michigan State University. Kowert started at SLU in 1977 as an assistant professor and rose through the ranks, being promoted to full professor in 1989.

Kowert officially retired in 2021, but remained active at SLU. He had an office at SLU and taught classes as recently as 2025.

During his time at SLU, Kowert taught more than 16 different courses, including general chemistry and physical chemistry. He taught over 10,000 undergraduate students and in 2009, he was honored with the Faculty Excellence Award from the Student Government Association.

Alexei V. Demchenko, Ph.D., chair of the chemistry department, said Kowert had a phenomenal memory that enabled the past and present to connect.

"He helped us to stay in touch and engage many of our alumni," Demchenko said. "One day, I was giving a tour of our renovated space to an alum who graduated in 1982. Bruce was in the office, and we walked right in without any prior arrangement. The alum said, 'Dr. Kowert, do you remember me?' 'Of course," Bruce replied. 'I remember you, you are Michael, and I also remember your brother Doug, who was one year ahead of you.' This is the kind of educator and exceptional individual Dr. Kowert was. He connected us with alums from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and beyond due to his phenomenal engagement, care for students, and memory."

He was also a prolific researcher. He conducted research in physical chemistry, including electron spin resonance studies of various compounds and the diffusion of solutes in numerous solvent systems. During his career, Kowert published 35 journal articles. He also mentored 53 undergraduate and seven graduate research students in his laboratory.

A celebration of life will be from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, at Lupton-Millard Chapel in University City.