Herbert S. Gutowsky, who discovered that chemists could use nuclear magnetic resonance to show the structure of molecules and who oversaw the creation of the school of chemical sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, died Thursday, Jan. 13, at Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana.

Mr. Gutowsky, 80, suffered from diabetes and Parkinson’s disease, though the cause of death wasn’t immediately known.

An avid bicyclist and bird-watcher who later became very interested in growing roses, Mr. Gutowsky was a quiet and sensitive man who focused on science to learn how things worked, said his son, Robb.

“He was truly passionate and dedicated to science. He didn’t particularly care about physical possessions that much,” his son said. “His life taught me what pursuing something you’re passionate about looks like. He brought a passion and enthusiasm and a creativity to his profession that really set him apart.”

Mr. Gutowsky grew up on a produce farm in Michigan. That experience taught him the importance of hard work, which he passed on to his children and carried over to his scientific work, his son said.

He was best known for discovering that nuclear magnetic resonance can be used to show how molecules move and to measure the rate of chemical reactions, colleagues said. His early studies led to the development of magnetic resonance imaging, they said.

“He was reserved but was completely devoted, deeply interested in chemistry. It just occupied his mind. He had a terrific ability to see new areas that should be studied,” said Charles Slichter, research professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who worked with Mr. Gutowsky.

Mr. Gutowsky built his own apparatus to perform experiments with nuclear magnetic resonance, Slichter said.

Mr. Gutowsky’s work with nuclear magnetic resonance so impressed Cynthia Jameson, now a professor of chemistry at the University of Illinois at Chicago, that she asked if she could work on her doctoral degree under his guidance.

“He’s not typical of the people who are successful in that he wasn’t the aggressive type. He was more of the quiet type. It was more of the excellent quality of work that made him successful,” Jameson said.

But his quiet manner may have cost him the Nobel Prize in chemistry, some colleagues said. While he was nominated for the award, he never received it, possibly because he did not promote himself and his work, they said.

Mr. Gutowsky joined the University of Illinois faculty in 1948 and became a full professor in 1956. He became the head of the department of chemistry and chemical engineering in 1967, but oversaw its division into two departments in 1970. At that time, he also oversaw the creation of the school of chemical sciences. Mr. Gutowsky was also the chairman of the American Chemical Society from 1974 to 1977.

In addition to his son, Mr. Gutowsky is survived by his wife, Virginia; another son, Christopher; a sister, Esther Enyart; and three grandchildren.

A service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Renner-Wikoff Chapel, 1900 S. Philo Rd., Urbana. A memorial service is planned for a later date.