CU grad student in physics is killed in car-bike accident in the town of Virgil

Raphael Kapfer, 24, a Cornell graduate student in physics, was killed Saturday, April 20, when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle on Route 13 in the town of Virgil.

Kapfer was riding north on Route 13 between Dryden and Cortland at 10:30 a.m. when he was struck by a car driven by Joseph Cinquanti, 82, of Dryden. Cinquanti was driving south and was making a left turn when he hit Kapfer, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Cinquanti was ticketed for failing to yield the right of way and operating a motor vehicle without proof of valid insurance, officials from the Cortland County sheriff's office said.

Kapfer, a Canadian citizen, was born in France. His family resides in Longueuil, Quebec, Canada. He enrolled at Cornell in the fall of 1999, after earning his undergraduate degree in physics from McGill University in Montreal in May 1999.

For the past two years, he has worked in biological physics with Professor Sol Gruner, director of the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS). His thesis work was in examining the effects of pressure on protein molecules.

"This is a tremendously important area, since we know very little about the effect of pressure on the molecules that make up living organisms," Gruner said. "Raphael's death is a deep loss."

Kapfer was involved in education efforts coordinated by the Cornell Center for Materials Research, helping to develop labs for K-12 demonstrations and participating in the Research Experience for middle and high school teachers. He also mentored through the Learning Lab.

An avid cyclist, Kapfer was cycling with his friend to get into touring condition for a planned bicycle trip to Montreal this summer, said an official from the physics department.

He is survived by his parents, Bruno and Elisabeth Kapfer, and a sister.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 27, in Longueuil, near Montreal. A gathering to remember and reflect on Raphael's life will be held Monday, April 29, at noon in 700 Clark Hall.