Laurent Bellaiche
Mike was an extraordinary person. So knowledgeable on so many different topics. So many anecdotes to share. It was always a joy to have lunch with him. I miss him tremendously.
Laurent Bellaiche.
Birth date: Dec 28, 1936 Death date: Dec 23, 2024
Michael Lieber died December 23, 2024, just a few days shy of his 88th birthday. He was born in Brooklyn, NY on December 28, 1936, the oldest son of Joseph Lieber and Sara (née Schwartz) Lieber. After graduating from Stuyvesant Hi Read Obituary
Mike was an extraordinary person. So knowledgeable on so many different topics. So many anecdotes to share. It was always a joy to have lunch with him. I miss him tremendously.
Laurent Bellaiche.
I am deeply saddened by this loss and extend my heartfelt condolences to the family. I was fortunate to have Dr. Lieber as a mentor and guide during my academic journey, taking several courses and seminars with him and having him as an advisor for two graduate degrees. With my office next to his, I had the privilege of engaging in a constant exchange of questions and ideas—from discussions on LIGO to Elba and Ebla. These collaborations, paired with conference trips and meetings that extended well into my career, were invaluable. His vast knowledge, insightful guidance, and unwavering inspiration made seemingly impossible goals achievable and difficult challenges surmountable. Equally significant were the warm visits to his home, where his family’s generosity and kindness provided critical support and encouragement throughout the years. Dr. Lieber always made time to be a visiting colloquium speaker and theory school presenter, captivating everyone with his engaging presence and unparalleled expertise. He was an extraordinary role model, and his loss leaves a profound void. He will always be deeply missed, but his legacy and impact will endure forever.
My deepest condolences to Dr. Lieber's family; I am so sorry for your loss. I was a graduate student at the University of Arkansas from 1993-2000, and I was fortunate enough to have taken independent study courses in relativistic quantum mechanics and field theory with him. Further, he was a very valued member of my PhD thesis committee. Even more than that, he was a great guy and an extremely interesting person. During my time in Arkansas, I was lucky enough to have countless conversations with him on many topics, some technical, some not so much. After I graduated from Arkansas, I came back for a couple of years as a visiting faculty member. Dr. Lieber served as a valuable role model for me in that position (I'm pretty sure he didn't know he was doing that at the time). Though the news of his passing is very sad, I take solace in celebrating the inspired and positively impactful life he lived. We who live in Rochester and are physics alumni from U. Arkansas will indeed be raising a toast to Dr. Lieber's life and to our good fortune at having known him.
So saddened by this news. I was a physics graduate student from 99-05. I never had Dr. Lieber in a class, but he was the first person I talked to on my path toward converting to Judaism. I walked into his office one day, navigated through the maze of books he had stacked floor-to-ceiling, and expressed my interest in Judaism. He invited me to an Erev Shabbat service at Temple Shalom, which was held in the Unitarian Fellowship building at that time. I believe his daughter, Rabbi Laura, was leading the service. I remember it was such a bright moment in my life and it all began with that simple conversation I had with Dr. Lieber. May his name be for a blessing.
Our deepest sympathy! Mike was one of the good ones! Tim Kral & Connie Hendrix-Kral
I was a grad student at UARK from 83-88. I did not have Dr. Lieber for a class, but he was a great resource for my questions on particle physics. I worked with folks at UARK after graduation, and on my visits there I had many nice visits with him. He will be missed.
Eileen: Both Lina and I are saddened to hear of Mike's death. We knew him as an accomplished teacher in the world of physics. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you now move forward with your lives. Paul and Lina Long