Search by Name

Search by Name

William Bidelman Obituary

William P. Bidelman

William P. Bidelman, an astronomer who played a vital role in the spectral classification of stars, died on Tuesday in Murfreesboro, TN. He was 92.

Dr. Bidelman, known to family and friends as "Billy," was emeritus professor of astronomy at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH. His many academic contributions included the identification of the Barium class of "giant" stars, which he discovered along with Dr. Philip Keenan, who died in 2000.

Dr. Bidelman was born in 1918 in Los Angeles, CA. He spent most of his youth in North Dakota, where he met his wife of sixty-nine years, Verna P. Shirk, in elementary school. He later attended Harvard College, graduating in 1940. He completed his Ph.D. in astronomy at the University of Chicago three years later. During World War II, he left Chicago for Maryland to serve as a physicist at the U.S. Army's Ballistic Research Laboratory at the Aberdeen Proving Ground.

During his career in astronomy, which spanned more than five decades, Dr. Bidelman taught at the University of Chicago, the University of California, the University of Michigan, the University of Texas and Case Western University. He conducted research at Yerkes Observatory in Chicago, Lick Observatory in California, and Warner and Swasey Observatory in Cleveland.

Dr. Bidelman was predeceased by his wife, Verna and his daughter, Lana Stone.

He leaves behind three daughters, Linda McKinley of Bloomington, IN, Barbara Talley of Austin, TX and Billie Little of Murfreesboro, TN, as well as eight grandchildren and six great-grand-children.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Discovery Center in Murfreesboro, TN.

No service is planned at present.

Cremation Society of Tennessee is assisting the Bidelman Family with arrangements, (615) 302-4840. Please visit our website at www.CREMATIONSOCIETYOFTN.COM to sign Mr. Bidelman's online registry.

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

Published by The Daily News Journal on May 10, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for William Bidelman

Not sure what to say?





Samantah

January 17, 2025

I have been meaning to get in touch with your family. As part of a life history project back in 1999, I did a fairly comprehensive write up of Dr. Bidelman's life. I'd love to be able to share it with your family. It does show him of a workaholic and I was a bit brutally honest with his protrayal as he presented it, but it is part of his history. Please send me a message so we can figure out the best way to do this. I only have a printed version, the digital copy is long gone, but I could mail it to you.

Jim Breckinridge

September 11, 2011

I worked with Billy and Gerry Kron at Lick Observatory from 1961 to 1963. I have never met a person with more in depth knowledge about the high resolution spectra of HD stars - he knew them all!
Jim Breckinridge (Pasadena

Alice Loth

September 4, 2011

I was truly blessed to get to know Dr. Bidelman and to work by his side as he taught me about stellar spectra and then gave me the topic of my Master’s thesis. He amazed me because whenever I was looking for a particular article in the library, he would ask what I was looking for and then go directly to the journal and open it to the exact page the of the article I was looking for. He kept an eye on what I was studying and would help me when I got stuck along the way. When we worked together he would get upset at me because I could not do logarithms in my head as he could and although he tried over and over, I never could get the slide rule to get me the right answer and relied on my calculator. I was always amused by the way he would use a paper to rub the pencil tip he used to sharpen it and stayed away from computers. He was the most amazing professor I ever had at CWRU and was the best astronomer I ever had the pleasure of working with. The world was a better place because he was here, the field of astronomy advanced because of his love for the subject. I dedicated my thesis to him in 1997 because of the admiration I had and will always have for him. He was the best of CWRU the Astronomy program. I am eternally grateful to him for all he taught me, I will never for the amazing person he was and the good fortune I had when he took me under his wing and let me be his apprentice. I bet he has gotten a closer look at the stars he so loved by now and the sky is even more beautiful now that he is in it.

June 24, 2011

I am very saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Bidelman. He was my thesis adviser at CWRU Warner & Swasey Observatory from 1973 to 1979. I have fond memories of his inspiring guidance and many kind words.
Billy was, in many ways, a remarkable person. He was the only astronomer I've ever known who would run down the hallway in excitement holding a spectrogram (a thin piece of glass with assorted dark smudges on it) and telling everyone "look at the H-alpha emission in this peculiar star!". The look on his face reminded one of that of a child with a new toy. The sense of excitement, wonderment, was unmistakable.
Billy had, among his many other talents, a well renowned and truly impressive memory. I remember once I was doing research and came across an obscure peculiar star. There were no other information I could find. I went to Billy and informed him of 'my discovery'. He took a look at it and said " Oh, that is star xx. It was first discovered by the Germans at Potsdam Observatory in 1886(?). Look at the Potsdam report 1888, volume xx, page xxx". Sure enough, that's where it was first mentioned. Even in these days of Google and limitless databases and cloud computing, I doubt that any technology can match that remarkable brain of his.
I am saddened thinking of the loss to the world of such a kindly, scholarly person and his vast knowledge.

D. Jack MacConnell

May 14, 2011

Billy gave me my first full-time job as an astronomer in 1965 to oversee the move and start the science program with the Michigan Schmidt telescope which was relocated to Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory in Chile. He was a joy to work with & for and was full of fruitful ideas and stories galore. He could talk more than anyone I knew. Sometimes a group would form to go to lunch with him, and we always had to wait until he had made his "important discovery of the morning". He and Verna and their daughters were great hosts, and the two were riots at a party. After 1970, when he was at CWRU, I often enjoyed visits with him, and we collaborated on several projects. We kept in touch, usually by phone, until a few years ago.
He and Verna will remain in my memory among my favorite people.

Prague IAU General Assembly 1967 - taken by Peter Pesch

D. Jack MacConnell

May 14, 2011

WPB looking professorial.

May 13, 2011

John Martin

May 12, 2011

I shared an office with Billy at CWRU for six years (1997-2003). We were an odd pairing: a seasoned emeritus and a green graduate student. But I listened and learned a lot. The subject and much of the background for my PhD Dissertation came from Billy. He left an indelible mark on me and my career. And I'm better for it.

John Martin

May 12, 2011

I shared an office with Billy at CWRU for five years (1998-2003). We were an odd pairing: a seasoned emeritus and a green graduate student. But I listened and learned a lot. The subject and much of the background for my PhD Dissertation came from Billy. He left an indelible mark on me and my career. And I'm better for it.

Sam & Nelda Kerr

May 10, 2011

Billie---we are sorry about the loss of your dad. Our thoughts are with you at this difficult time. Our sympathy! (formerly of Bell St)

Jaci Johnson

May 10, 2011

I've heard so many stories about "Grandpa Bidelmam," as Scott Talley, his grandson, calls him and I know he was an amazing person. I am absolutely devastated to never have met Dr. Bidelman, but have a few great photos and Scott's memories to hold on to. My condolences to the entire Bidelman Family.

Tom Stone

May 10, 2011

Bill was my father in law and I always enjoyed visiting him and Verna. He was always a happy man, he enjoyed collecting stamps all his life, was a great baseball fan, especially the Indians. A funny thing Verna said about him, when he took out the trash, he would sometimes tell her, "I took out your trash". I'll miss both him and Verna.

Bill, Verna and Lana Williams Bay, WI

May 10, 2011

Preston MacDougall

May 10, 2011

Dr. Bidelman distinguished himself at many of the most luminous centers of learning on the face of the earth. I hope his spirit will discover some of the secrets of the stars that his telescopes could not.

Jennifer Zapotocky

May 10, 2011

You will be missed, Dr. Bidleman. We have been missing u at Sunnington Assisted Living. Heaven has gotten another angel. It was a pleasure knowing u the short time I have been there till u left. It was a pleasure taking care of u. You were a sweet man. Praying for yr family and yr friends. We will see each other again one day. You are now with yr wife and daughter and our Lord.

Showing 1 - 15 of 15 results

Make a Donation
in William Bidelman's name

Memorial Events
for William Bidelman

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.

How to support William's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.

The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.

Read more
Attending a Funeral: What to Know

You have funeral questions, we have answers.

Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?

What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?

Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?

We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.

Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide

If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast

Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.

Read more
The Five Stages of Grief

They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.

Read more
Ways to honor William Bidelman's life and legacy
Obituary Examples

You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.

Read more
How to Write an Obituary

Need help writing an obituary? Here's a step-by-step guide...

Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples

These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.

Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?

Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.

Read more