Derek Cunnold

Family-Placed Death Notice

CUNNOLD, Derek Martin DEREK MARTIN CUNNOLD Derek Martin Cunnold, age 68, of Dunwoody, Georgia died suddenly while playing tennis on Saturday, April 18, 2009. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Susan R. Cunnold, his daughters and sons-in-laws, Carolyn C. and Zachary T. Holcomb of Dunwoody and Alison C. and Christopher J. Boivin of Alpharetta, his son and daughter-in-law, David D. and Claudette S. Cunnold of Alpharetta, and three grandchildren, Andrew Cunnold, Sarah Holcomb, and Alexander Holcomb. He is also survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Graham and Kathy Cunnold of Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, England, two nieces, Anne-Marie and Christine, a sister and brother-in-law, Marilyn and Alec Barron of High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England, two nephews, Nicholas and Andrew and a brother-in-law, Dr. Edgar Robertson and his wife, Dr. Anita Robertson, three nieces and one nephew, Leah, Shelley, Jodi, and Ivan. Dr. Cunnold was born July 10, 1940 (Battle of Britain Day) in Reading, England and spent his youth in Malvern and Gerrards Cross, suburbs of London. He received B.A. and M.A. degrees in Applied Mathematics from St. John's College, Cambridge, England and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering (Aeronomy) from Cornell University. His first position was as an Advanced Research Engineer for Sylvania Electric Systems in Waltham, Massachusetts. For the next three years, Dr. Cunnold worked as a Research Fellow at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University. He was a Research Associate at Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Department of Meteorology for the next nine years. Dr. CCunnold was a Principal Research Scientist, Acting Chair of School, and Professor at Georgia Institute of Technology's School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences for 27 years and was conferred Professor Emeritus in 2006. Professor Cunnold was an internationally recognized and respected expert regarding the science of the Earth's protective ozone layer, the use of satellite measurements and computer models to study this complex layer, and the interpretation of global atmospheric measurements to determine the sources and sinks of ozone-depleting and greenhouse gases. He was a co-founder of the international Advanced Global Atmospheric Gases Experiment that has observed these gases continuously over the globe for the past 31 years. He received the NASA Medal for Outstanding Achievement in 1992, was a Lead Author for the most recent United Nations Ozone Assessment, and was a member of nine NASA international satellite experiment teams. In addition, he was co-convenor of Global Emission Inventory Activity (GEIA) of IGAC, 1998-2004. He was an outstanding mentor for students and young scientists at both Georgia Tech and other institutions. His long-term collaborator, Professor Ron Prinn at MIT, comments that "Derek's intelligence, insight, scientific achievements, unselfish service and quiet, wise and effective leadership will be deeply missed, but never forgotten, by me and his many scientific colleagues and admirers around the world". Derek was a true gentleman whose family always came first. He enjoyed taking family vacations, traveling world-wide with his wife, and spending time with his grandchildren. Before moving to Dunwoody, GA in 1979, he lived in Bedford, MA for 14 years and was an active member of both Wedgewood Swim and Tennis Club and Bedford Congregational Church. He was an avid tennis player, golfer, skier, and active member of both Dunwoody Country Club and Dunwoody United Methodist Church. In addition, he was a generous supporter of the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts. A memorial service for Derek Cunnold will be held at Dunwoody United Methodist Church in Dunwoody, GA on Saturday, April 25, 2009 at 3 P.M. with a visitation following in Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the World Foundation for Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, 420 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10018 (212-852-8612), Girl Scouts of Greater Atlanta, 1577 Northeast Expressway, Atlanta, GA 30329 (404-527-7500) or Dunwoody United Methodist Church, 1548 Mt. Vernon Road, Dunwoody, GA 30338 (770-394-0675). Arrangements by H.M. Patterson and Son, Arlington Chapel, Sandy Springs, Georgia.