Bioterrorism expert mysteriously killed in St. Louis bicycle accident

On Friday, February 24, university professor and bioterrorism expert, Robert Mark Buller, was mysteriously killed while riding his bike in the 10600 block of Riverview Drive.

The 67-year-old professor taught molecular microbiology and immunology at St. Louis University, and was described in the university’s obituary as “one of the nation’s foremost poxvirus researchers.”

The obituary added, “He was a member of multiple national committees and governmental advisory groups, some that advised the intelligence community on biodefense.” (RELATED: These compounds found in black tea can be used to neutralize bioterrorism microorganisms).

Meghan Buller, the professor’s daughter, described her father as a humble man. “He told me he was bad at math, but he got a Ph.D., and he had his own lab, and he advised the government,” she explained. “He was an amazingly important person and never wanted anyone else to know.”

According to police, Buller was killed just before 6 p.m. When a man driving a Ford attempted to pass Buller on the left, he swerved and was struck by an oncoming Audi A8. Police say that Buller was pronounced dead at the scene. All others involved in the accident, including an 8-year-old boy and a 44-year-old woman, were taken to a hospital in stable condition.

SLU’s obituary explained that Buller’s job was to look for new ways to prevent and protect against viruses that could potentially be used as weapons of bioterrorism. (RELATED: The health ranger is warning that the EPA has unleashed a vector for bioterrorism).

Outside of his work at St. Louis University, Mr. Buller volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, the international nonprofit organization dedicated to building affordable houses in impoverished areas all over the world. Buller also sponsored impoverished children from several different countries, and frequently donated to Wounded Warriors.

In addition, Buller was an active member of Our Lady of Lourdes parish in University City, which is where he lived happily with his wife, Joslyn. After working for over two decades at St. Louis University, Buller was just starting to prepare for his retirement in 2018.

Of course, some Americans may find the death of the bioterrorism professor a bit too coincidental, considering the fact that the Islamic State has made threats to use toxic agents to kill large numbers of civilians. If ISIS, Al-Qaeda or another terrorist organization were to launch an attack on the United States, it would make sense that they would eliminate those who could foil their plans before actually carrying them out.

Still, this is only a theory, and it should not take attention away from the terrible pain and sadness being felt by Buller’s family and friends. May God bless them in this time of hardship.

Sources

STLToday.com

HealthNutNews.com