Bud Suddath was born in Macon, Georgia, and was a graduate of West Rome High School and the Darlington School for Boys in Rome, Georgia. He was an alumnus of Georgia Tech, where he received a bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1965 and his doctoral degree in Chemistry in 1970. After receiving his Ph.D., he was awarded a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

He went with his wife, Lee Gafford Suddath, to Boston to study crystallography withbud and lee suddath Alexander Rich. He stayed at MIT for five years, using his skills in chemistry, biochemistry, and computing to help determine the three-dimensional structure of transfer-RNA.

In 1985, he returned to Georgia Tech as Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Director of the Supercomputer Support Group. His research efforts ultimately led to a set of protein growth experiments aboard the space shuttle, Discovery, in 1988. In 1989, he agreed to help lead Georgia Tech's computing environment into the next century by accepting an appointment as Vice President for Information Technology. His administrative and technical success, as well as the confidence he inspired, led to his appointment as Executive Assistant to the President early in 1992. Bud died unexpectedly on June 17, 1992.

Bud was a unique individual who excelled at research, teaching, and administrative duties. His personality was as important to his success as his intellectual acumen. His unselfishness and willingness to cooperate were exemplary. His unassuming friendliness and sense of humor engendered trust and confidence in people with whom he worked. These traits, in combination with his decisiveness and mental capabilities, made Bud Suddath a leader and a hero.

The participants at this symposium gather each year in celebration of his life and in appreciation of his scientific abilities and in tribute to his life-long contributions.