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BORN

1948

DIED

2024

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Arthur Springsteen Obituary

Arthur Springsteen

Sunapee, NH - Arthur William Springsteen was born in Milford, Connecticut, October 30, 1948, and died at his home in Sunapee NH on May 28, 2024, with his wife and special kitties, Koji and Sakura, nearby.

He was the only son of Stanley and Catherine (Schatz) Springsteen.

As the son of a career Navy man, Art spent his younger years at various naval bases along the east coast, including two years at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. He was active in sports from an early age, particularly baseball and golf. He graduated from Milford Academy and earned a baseball scholarship to Saint Francis University (then College) from which he graduated with a degree in chemistry in 1970. At Saint Francis he played four years of varsity golf, compiling a winning record each year. He received the Distinguished Alumnus in Science Award from Saint Francis in 2015. He obtained a Master of Science degree from Marshall University and a Ph.D. in Chemistry from West Virginia University. Following graduation, he completed a post-doc at WVU in organic chemistry. While at WVU, Art set the course record at the university's golf course, a record that he would tell you still stands (since the course was destroyed during the construction of the current football stadium).

Upon moving to New Hampshire after graduation, Art served briefly as an adjunct professor of chemistry, volunteer assistant basketball coach, and volunteer Sports Information Director at

Colby-Sawyer College. He also was the golf pro at Kearsarge Valley Country Club during the time it was owned by Colby-Sawyer College.

At the time of his death, Art had recently retired as the President and Chief Technical Officer of Avian Technologies, LLC. Prior to founding Avian Technologies in 1999, he was Principal Scientist

and Director for Advanced Development at Labsphere, Inc. for 13 years. During his tenure at Labsphere, he developed more than thirty commercial products, including the Spectralon® diffuse reflectance material product line, numerous optical coatings, fluorescent materials and accessories for measurement of reflectance, diffuse transmittance and fluorescence. Art holds 9 U.S. patents and 3 European patents on materials and instrument design, won a 1990 Photonics Spectra New Product of the Year award (Optical Grade Spectralon®), and shared another in 1997 for the development of the Labsphere bispectral fluorescence colorimeter.

Art has published more than thirty scientific papers and has contributed to Spectroscopy magazine's "Spectroscopy Workbench"' section. He was the co-author/editor (with Jerry

Workman) of the Academic Press book Applied Spectroscopy, A Complete Guide for Practitioners, and has edited the Proceedings of the Third and Fourth Oxford Conferences on Spectrometry. He was a member and former Secretary of the Council for Optical Radiation Measurement, a member of the Board of Directors of the Inter Society Color Council, and a former member of the National Research Council of the U.S. He was also an active member of ASTM Commicees E-12 (Color and Appearance) and E-13 (Molecular Spectroscopy), the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, and Council for Near-Infrared Spectroscopy. Recently, Art worked with NASA, the Neils Bohr Institute, and Lucideon Ltd. to develop color standards that are used to calibrate the cameras of the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover.

Art continued his interest in golf and baseball throughout his life, serving on the Board of the John Cain Golf Course in Newport and recently becoming a minority owner of the current Newport Golf Club. He held several club championships over the years. He was also a member of the Society for American Baseball Research.

Art leaves his wife of almost 53 years, Kathryn, a daughter Anne Springsteen and her husband John Trussell of Lake Oswego, OR, sisters-in-law Colleen Mooney of Grandview Heights, OH and Miriam Freedman of Kibbutz Bet Rimon in Israel, brother-in-law, John Mooney of Charleston, WV, his Aunt Evelyn Owens of Ashburn, VA and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A memorial service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Wilmot on Friday, June 14, 2024 at 11:00 am, followed by a lunch. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Art's life.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to either the Art and Kathy Springsteen Chemistry Research Endowment at Saint Francis University (132 Franciscan Way, Loreco, PA 15940) or the

Sullivan County Humane Society (14 Tremont St., Claremont NH 03743). To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.chadwickfuneralservice.com.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Concord Monitor on Jun. 4, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Arthur Springsteen

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Edward Farmer

May 29, 2025

We met when Art was living in Morgantown and we were friends for many years. I think of him often. He is missed by many.

Jim Rubinger

December 12, 2024

I only just learned of Art's passing. I first met Art 50 years ago, not sure how it could be that long. We played in a fantasy baseball league together for many years. I did not know Art the academic, scientist, or entrepreneur, though I knew those sides of him were out there. I knew a smart, funny, iconoclastic person. He was always fun to talk to, whether about baseball (and his knowledge was encyclopedic) or golf or politics or anything else. He always had a unique take on things, a wicked sense of humor. Art was truly one of a kind (how many other Ph.D's owned a fish tie and actually wore it to dinner?) He left us way too young, and I will miss him greatly. Best wishes to Kathy Annie and, of course, his beloved cats.

Becca Hooker CSC 1984

June 13, 2024

To Kathy and his family, my sincere condolences. I met Art when I was a Freshman at Colby-Sawyer College. I was on the Basketball Team from 1980 until I graduated in 1984. Art was a one man cheering squad. He was the first (assistant) coach ever to work me into the offense on a team. He supported me and taught me how to be a better player. When Colby-Sawyer contacted me in 2023 to tell me I would need a presenter for induction into the Athletic Hall of Fame, I asked where Coach Mike was. Learning he has passed away a year or so earlier, my next question was, "Does anyone know where Art Springsteen is?". As luck would have it, he was in Sunapee, New Hampshire, right down the road. Phone calls were made and much to my delight he agreed to present me In Octobet 2023. Learning his work with his company, Avian Technologies, was fascinating. Especially as I work with hummingbirds on a banding team in Arizona. We had a whole lot of catching up to do through phone calls and when we arrived for the induction. I was honored he was willing to be there. We had more phone calls after reconnecting. I am sorry he is gone. There was much more left to talk about.

Again Condolences to Kathy and Family
Becca

Richard Beffa

June 10, 2024

Ellen and I enjoyed several dinners and Garnet Rogers concerts with Kathy and Art at the Flying Goose. We will miss him and wish Kathy and his family the best.
Richard Beffa & Ellen Winkler

Ed Farmer

June 8, 2024

Art was a great friend that I knew through a hobby (APBA Baseball) that we shared. My condolances to Kathy and Anne. It is easy to see from his long list of accomplishments that very few people affected the world as positively as Art did. I knew that anytime I would talk to Art, whether it would be by email or phone, I would come away from the chat smiling. I'll miss those times.

Christopher Durell

June 8, 2024

Art was a mentor and a genuinely great man. I leaned most of my spectroscopy knowledge under Art as well as the importance of industry relationships and running a business. Art also sold me my first set of golf clubs - still in use today. I owe Art a huge "Thank You!" for being a force in my life and I am saddened that it had been some time since our last direct meeting. He will be missed. Kathryn, I am so sorry for your loss. Please reach out if my family or I can do anything to help. I will not be able to make the ceremony due to business travel, but please know I will very much be thinking of Art and his impact on Friday, June 14.

John Briggs

June 8, 2024

I'm so sorry to hear of this. I was in a baseball fantasy league with Art for about 20 years from 1981-1999, called the RCMBA. Art ran the league for many years and his knowledge of the APBA baseball game in well known throughout that community. I enjoyed the time I was able to spend talking with him via mail, phone and in person, about baseball and the APBA game.
John Briggs

Robert Shoemaker

June 7, 2024

I am sorry for your loss. We were classmates at St. Francis College and attended graduate school @ WVU. An excellent scientist with a superior intellect. Thank you, Art, for your many contributions and leaving the world a better place. May perpetual light shine upon you and may you rest in peace.

Gary Ritchie

June 5, 2024

To Kathy and family, it was with great sorrow that I learned of Art's passing. I will miss seeing him and you at the best conference in the world. I would like to share my special remberence of him, that exemplifies Art's spirit as a person and scientist.

My earliest memories of Dr. Springsteen go back to my very first IDRC (1998, Dr. Lois Weyer, Chair). I remember a very forthright, passionate and giving man. We discovered immediately that both of us being New Englanders had some common ground. but that's where the similarities end. As time went on, mostly measured by IDRC meetings, I realized what he really meant to me, and all of us was his deep, knowledge of spectroscopy, his contribution to the science of NIR and his courage to forge ahead on his own and create the world's best and sought after standards for spectroscopic measurements.

As a pioneer in his field, Art is known around the globe for his knowledge and craftsmanship. He coached me and gave me some valuable insight as I ventured into the realm of standards. He reminded me that the standard I was about to propose to the USP for NIR Wavelength Uncertainty measurements had already been fulfilled and was enjoying commercial success, a la Avian Technology. I learned that he was already manufacturing the same standard, traceable to NIST. But, becausepharmaceutical powders measurements were being made by diffuse reflection NIR, it became clear to some of us that a band in the 2000 nm - 2500 nm region would be useful as a reference so this range could be included in chemometric models, and I (along with others I might add) was about to propose that talc be used in addition to the rare earth oxides already being used because it had a very sharp peak in that range (2391.8 nm). At any rate, Art, being the gentleman and sage that he was, told me something that I have never forgotten. Being a scientist may make you think you are correct in doing the right thing, this won't necessarily make it so. Seek out those who have worked on this before you, let them know. In this way you will find that you will have a much easier time at achieving your ends, without stepping on a whole lot of toes. He was correct of course, and I did just that. After meeting, knowing, and I think befriending one of the great pioneers of NIR at this level, I can say surely that I will never look at a rainbow again (and haven't since) after meeting Art. {Non Sine Sole Iris)

Dan Meerson

June 5, 2024

Dear Kathy, I was sorry to learn of Art’s death. Please accept my condolences and best wishes. Having lost a spouse myself, I know how you must feel.

William Muller

June 4, 2024

Art Springsteen was an amazing guy. I had the pleasure of working with Art, Karl Norris, and Ken Von Bargen, when developing photometric and wavelength standards for my employer's NIR instrumentation. My role was minor, compared to the rest of this crew. However, Art was so engaging and inclusive that we all cooperated well on the project. He had a talent for recognizing and encouraging the strengths of each person, and for bringing those abilities directly into the work at hand. He identified how I could best move the work to completion, and he supported those efforts in a very professional, upbeat manner. We stayed in touch for many years, and I always valued his friendship and guidance. Ken and Karl have probably welcomed Art to that great spectroscopy lab in the next world. I offer my sincere condolences to Art's friends, family, and associates. I will always remember him with fondness and respect.

Bridgette & Todd Severance

June 4, 2024

So sorry to hear about Art's passing. We worked together at Labsphere many years ago and always enjoyed his humor. Wishing you comfort and peace in the days ahead.

Patricia Kangas Ktistes

June 4, 2024

When I was a senior at Colby-Sawyer College in the spring of 1987, I served as an intern at Labsphere. Art always treated me with respect and as a full-fledged colleague despite my student status. He was a highly intelligent but modest person, generous with his time and ideas and a very kind mentor, even though I served in a different department than his. He was one in a million in every way and he and his wife Kathy were a joy to know. He is remembered with gratitude.

Al Parr

June 4, 2024

Art contributed greatly to science of optical radiation measurements and enlivened any meeting he attended, such as CORM. Condolences to his family.

Albert Stiegman

June 3, 2024

I knew Art for over 30 years. We met on a project he helped us with at JPL to flight qualify his invention Spectralon for space applications. Art is among my very best friends, I can’t believe he is gone. I deeply miss him.

Jerry Workman

June 3, 2024

Dr. Art was the consummate artist with respect to spectroscopic standards and all that accompanies this sometime eclectic and mysterious field. Whether multiple angle, diffuse, or specular reflection (or reflectance) or transmission (or transmittance), Art was the go-to person for all things related to spectroscopic standards. Not only was he the best golfer in spectroscopy, but also one of the most loyal, friendly, and ethical people one could ever hope to meet or work with. He is sorely missed, grieved, and leaves big shoes for others to try to walk in and certainly big shoulders for young scientists to stand on. Here’s to you Art.

Tim Moggridge

June 3, 2024

I'm truly saddened to learn of Art's passing. He possessed a remarkable ability to inject clarity and humour into both technical and business conversations. Working alongside Art was a privilege, and his presence will be deeply missed.

Lynne Lawrie

June 1, 2024

Kathy, Anne and family. I was shocked to read of Arts passing. I am so sorry for your loss. I always enjoyed working with Art at Labsphere and through Avian. Art Is such an intelligent man but so down to earth and enjoyable to talk with. He often joked that we had shared sheep together in Wilmot. Having just lost my husband; focus on the wonderful memories you shared. They will get you through the tough days. Thinking of you Lynne Lawrie

Bruce & Molly McClure

June 1, 2024

We are heartbroken at the news and pray for peace and comfort for you and yours. Art was a special guy. I was grateful to him for his help and encouragement in starting our SABR chapter. He will be missed by all of us.

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Jun

14

Memorial service

11:00 a.m.

First Congregational Church

Wilmot, NH

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235 Main Street P.O. Box 68, New London, NH 03257

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