Marshall D. Gates, Jr., known around the world as the first person to synthesize
morphine in the laboratory, died Oct. 1 at his Pittsford (N.Y.) home. A scholar
and teacher at the University of Rochester since 1949, Professor Gates was 88.
His 1952 breakthrough, considered a masterpiece of organic chemistry, established
the Department of Chemistry at the University as one of the leading centers in
the field, and was the threshold to Professor Gates' larger search for a painkiller
that would mimic morphine's ability to mask severe pain but would not be addictive.
He created hundreds of compounds and was awarded 13 patents.
To the national and international chemistry community, his leadership was recognized
through his role as assistant editor and then editor-in-chief of the Journal
of the American Chemical Society from 1949 to 1969. A member of the National
Academy of Sciences and the New York Academy of Science, Professor Gates had a
reputation at Rochester as an outstanding teacher, and received the University's
highest undergraduate teaching award in 1967.
During World War II, the search to synthesize morphine was intense among a number
of elite chemists in the United States and Britain. "Ultimately, Gates' achievement
was not only to prepare it by synthesis, but confirm the structure of the molecule,"
said Robert K. Boeckman, Jr., chairman of the Department of Chemistry. Work by
Gates paved the way for further development of nonaddictive derivatives and an
entire approach to synthesizing the complex compounds known as alkaloids.
Born in Boyne City, Mich., in 1915, Marshall DeMotte Gates, Jr. received a bachelor's
degree from Rice University, and his master's and doctoral degrees in chemistry
from Harvard University. He and his wife, the former Martha L. Meyer, settled
at Bryn Mawr College in 1941 where he taught and also did work for the National
Defense Research Council from 1943 to 1946.
At Bryn Mawr, Professor Gates began his studies on the structure of morphine,
and in 1949 came to the University of Rochester. In 1952, at age 35, he and co-worker
Gilg Tschudi announced the synthesis of the compound, which was recognized as
extraordinary by organic chemists worldwide. Though he gained much acclaim for
that discovery and other accomplishments, colleagues and family described him
as a modest man who shunned the attention.
Personally, he was known for athletic pursuits as a sailor and skier. He kept
at the craft of glassblowing, making many of his instruments for laboratory use,
built both model and small wooden sailboats, and enjoyed a weekly poker game for
more than 35 years.
Professor Gates was recognized as the C. F. Houghton Professor of Chemistry in
1968, and when he retired in 1981 on his 65th birthday, he became professor emeritus.
In the intervening years, he continued his research and strong connections to
the faculty and students in the department.
Survivors include his wife Martha; sons Christopher (and Mary Anne) Gates and
Marshall D. Gates, 3rd; daughters Kate MacMillan and Virginia (and Robert) Searl;
eight grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, all of the Rochester area.
An event to announce a University endowed chair in honor of Professor Gates will
go on as planned Oct. 10. Professor Boeckman will be the first holder of the professorship.
"My father had been thrilled about the chair," said his daughter, Virginia
Searl. "He thought Bob Boeckman was the perfect person for it."
Friends can call at the family home at 41 West Brook Road in Pittsford from 4
to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17.