Kurt Gottfried: Physicist, Author & Co-Founder of UCS Dies at 93

[Doc Al]

I just learned that physicist Kurt Gottfried has died (on Aug 25). Among many other things, he authored a classic quantum mechanics textbook.

https://physics.cornell.edu/news/em...co-founder-union-concerned-scientists-dies-93

He was nice enough to speak at a symposium I co-organized, back in the day.

 

[berkeman]

https://physics.cornell.edu/news/em...co-founder-union-concerned-scientists-dies-93

I didn't realize he was a co-founder of the UCS. Nice.

“Kurt clearly felt that scientists were obligated to participate in efforts to help shape public policy at the interface between science and society,” said Peter Lepage, the James S. Tisch Distinguished University Professor Emeritus in physics. “He showed us all how this could be done effectively with his extensive work, over more than four decades, on such topics as nuclear arms control, international human rights, climate change and scientific integrity in policy making.”

Great article, thanks Doc. A life well-lived. RIP.

N. David Mermin, the Horace White Professor of Physics Emeritus, was a graduate student at Harvard during Gottfried’s time there.

“The physics department kept graduate students in a cluster of underground offices in the basement and Kurt was the only faculty member ever to visit those depths,” Mermin said. “He did so repeatedly, talking to each of us about our own research, whether or not it was in theoretical particle physics, his own specialty. He is remembered for this with warmth and affection.”

 

[LittleSchwinger]

Only saw this through a search after reading both editions, 2nd with Yan, of his great textbook this week. Wonderful writer!