Birth date: May 15, 1946 Death date: Jan 19, 2022
Dr. Douglas Archer, born in 1946 in Paterson, New Jersey, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, January 19th, 2022, after undergoing a routine heart procedure the day before. Before moving from the Washington D.C. area to Gainesville, F Read Obituary
I don't think I ever met Dr. Archer, but I cited a paper he co-wrote about the incidence and cost of foodborne diseases in my own masters thesis in 1992. Now I'm writing a new article comparing COVID and foodborne disease, and I'm citing his paper again. I found out he passed away when I googled him to see how he was doing. Interesting to see how he influenced so many people, and is doing so to this day.
I knew Doug as a great student - super grades seem to come pretty easy for him - combined with a great sense of humor...what a combination! I played some Babe Ruth League baseball with him. A unique and talented member of Midland Park NJ's HS Class of 1964. Bless his memory for all that he accomplished in life.
Bob VanDerClock,'64
I grew up beside Doug from kindergarten days through 12th grade. A better man cannot be found. I was so sorry to read of his passing. I’m sure he will be missed terribly by his family and all who knew him.
Susanne Webb Nichols
I had a good fortune to have Doug as my boss and champion for 8 years in FOB-8 in Washington DC. I will always remember him as a caring, visiionary leader and cherish fond memories of our days together. My heart felt condolences to his family and friends.
Atin Datta
I was one of the first FDAers to be assigned to work on the Executive Operations Staff for Drs. Shank and Archer. One of my most vivid memories was helping Doug carry an armload of chemistry books to his car so that he could study up on L-tryptophan. He kept muttering that he was a microbiologist and was chosen as deputy to balance Dr. Shank's knowledge of nutrition. L-tryptophan wasn't any microbe!
Sure enough, the next critical item on Doug's plate - sulfites on fresh vegetables on salad bars. Again, not much microbiology involved. Soon enough we'd be dealing with E. coli O157:H7 - right up Doug's alley.
But, as always, he smiled and got us through all those difficult days.
Tom Schwarz
I am saddened at the passing of Doug Archer. I remember well when I returned to Gainesville to accept an offer from Bernie Machen, I met Doug and Linda in a local restaurant. He had recognized me from my interview and reintroduced himself along with his wife, Linda. In the position I had at UF, a person is only successful if he or she surrounds themselves with excellent people. Doug was one of those people. While he was Associate Dean for Research, I would visit with him many times to seek his advice and counsel on difficult issues. I depended on him because his deep knowledge and experience, not only as the Associate Dean and a former Dept. Chair, but also from his long experience in the federal government as an expert on food and human nutrition. Doug also was most helpful to me in coordinating the preeminent faculty hiring. He worked one on one with the new IFAS scientists to help get them settled and off to a good start. There are many in academia and elsewhere who have benefited from Doug's professionalism, knowledge, experience and, most importantly, his kindness and consideration of others. I offer my heartfelt condolences to Linda and family. Jack Payne
Dough Archer recruited me to join the University of Florida. I remember that I was full of doubts about moving to another country and continent, and he was always very patient giving all necessary guidelines. I will always thank him for this great opportunity that was for me to become part of UF. I am deeply sorry for this terrible loss.
Ana Conesa
I am very sorry for the loss of Doug to his family and to all of us in IFAS. I knew Doug primarily in his role as Associate Dean. In every interaction I had with him, he was always honest, jovial, down-to-earth, and always seemed to have the interests of the faculty member at heart. I knew I could get a straight answer from him. He will be missed.
I will sorely miss Dr/Dean Archer. I often think about him when I see birds in the sky. He and I once had a long conversation about the possible relationship between the formations that bird makes in the sky, and the organization of immune cells in the body. This is but one example of how Dean Archer made a difference, and an impact in how one might think.
extraordinary teach, even better person!!
Joe Larkin
Aso Professor, IFAS
