Dr. Wilson Platt Bullard

On the afternoon of March 15th, 2024, my father, Dr. Wilson Platt Bullard, passed on to the next chapter of life. In my arms, in his own bed, in his own home, peacefully and quietly. The ocean breeze blowing softly through the window, the California sun warming the room, and the sound of waves crashing below.

No words can effectively express what I feel inside. The world around me continues to spin as it always has, but my world has stopped. Life surrounding me is exactly the same, but will never be the same again. There is truly no way to fully summarize my father’s legacy and impact on those he knew. Here’s my best:

My father grew up in Richmond, VA with his parents, Platt and Louise, and his sister, Nancy; hunting, riding, exploring and, of course, kickstarting his chemistry career in the basement of his home at a very young age.

After graduating with honors from the University of Virginia in 1969, he went on to complete a doctorate program in 1974. He was one of the first students to earn a PhD under Steve Benkovic at Penn State in what was considered a “new science” at the time - BioOrganic Chemistry. He completed his post-doc in La Jolla at UCSD in the field of Psychiatry, and then moved to Salt Lake City, where he met my mother, Marcia and taught college courses at University of Utah for many years.

They moved back to California in the early 80’s, and my father began a long, successful career in the field of BioTech with Beckman Coulter. He lead a number of teams on important projects, a few of which he was sworn to secrecy but were closely tied to the Cold War. My curiosity about what they did in those labs will never cease... He traveled internationally a lot during his career with Beckman, once on the famed Concorde supersonic jet, as he would always add, while sipping a glass of Cognac.

During his career, my father also served as the community representative on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) in San Diego, playing a key role in the ethical evaluation of proposed research methods involving human subjects. He was also President of the Seacoast Preservation Society in Encinitas, CA for many years.

His knowledge and expertise in chemistry played a key role in my life, starting at a young age. By the time I was 10 years old, I knew how to build a micro-hydrogen b.o.m.b using sodium hydroxide, aluminum foil, and a balloon. With a magnesium ribbon wick, we sent that thing so high off the bluff that I could barely see the explosion, but it was still magnificent. I had the periodic table memorized by age 15, and took classes in pharmacology as electives in college for “fun.”

He left the field of BioTech in the mid-90’s and turned his attention to the study and practice of neurolinguistic programming (NLP), beginning a long, successful career in personal and corporate counseling. At the time, the scientific community saw NLP as a sort of “voodoo” or “hypnotism” and did not take it seriously. NLP concepts now form the basis for every single “growth mindset” and “positive thinking” program in the world.

Throughout the emotional turbulence of life, my father was always there with answers. His knowledge of psychology and the application of his coaching concepts to my challenges saved my life, many times. He taught me not only everything he knew, but also how to teach and guide others through their struggles. By the time I was 23, I, myself, had obtained my own Life Coach certification as an NLP practitioner. He was so proud.

He spent his free time doing the things he loved the most. Remote, lengthily camping trips in the desert, southern Utah being his favorite. Hiking, running, biking, free diving, cooking and, of course, finishing each day with a margarita in hand watching the sunset.

This summary of his life mirrors only a fraction of his accomplishments and impact on those around him. His memory is carried on best by those who had the privilege of knowing him.

Now that he is departed, I generously allow myself to be consumed by grief and the pain of his loss, as he has taught me to always “feel everything and feel it in its entirety.” I miss him terribly, and will miss him as long as I live. I also know that he will never leave my side, and am deeply comforted knowing we will one day be together again.

My father will be laid to rest at the historic Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, VA alongside his parents whom he loved dearly. I will be hosting a celebration of life at his home within the next couple of months, and ask anyone who knew him or is in the San Diego area to please spread the word. Details to come.

I want to lastly extend my everlasting gratitude to everyone in my life who has been part of my support system these past years. You know who you are. I would not have been able to be who I needed to be and do what I needed to do without you, and I thank God for you each day. Together, we move forward.

Love,

Andrea