Keith MacAdam

1944 - 2016

MACADAM Keith Bradford, 72, died of a brief, acute illness on Sunday, November 6. A masterful teacher and problem solver, avid hiker and photographer, and enthusiastic singer, he was the loving husband of Phyllis MacAdam, father to Daniel (Ella Farmer) and Alison (Simon Rodberg), and grandfather to Calum and Soren MacAdam and Abraham Rodberg. Keith was born in Rochester, NY, in 1944 to Muriel and David MacAdam. He attended Swarthmore College and received a Doctorate in Physics from Harvard University. In 1977, he joined the UK Department of Physics where he did research in atomic and molecular physics. He was elected Fellow of the American Physical Society in 1987 and selected as a University Research Professor in 1990-91. Sabbaticals allowed him to do research in Aarhus, Denmark; Boulder, CO; and Stockholm, Sweden. After retiring from UK, he continued teaching a Physics class he developed for non-physics majors, called "How Things Work." He was proud of his efforts to help create an astronomical observatory for UK students and the general public. The MacAdam Student Observatory opened in 2008. While serving as a postdoctoral fellow in Stirling, Scotland, from 1971 to 1973, Keith was drawn to the rugged mountains of the northwest coast of Scotland. He returned many times with family and friends, most recently last June, to climb the peaks. These trips allowed him to develop his skills as a photographer. Friends will miss his email links to photo displays of mountains, wild flowers and birds. He introduced his children to a love of the outdoors and had recently enjoying hiking with his three young grandsons. Music played a central role throughout his life. While growing up in a musical family in Rochester, he studied piano at the Eastman School of Music. In Lexington, he has enjoyed singing with the Shape Note Singers and in the Crestwood Church choir for many years. Recently, he joined the Lexington Singers and was looking forward to their upcoming concert. His life was full of joy with family, intellectual pursuits and appreciation of the natural world. He will be missed by all who knew him. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at a date to be announced. Gifts in his memory can be sent to the UK MacAdam Observatory, the Lexington Arts & Cultural Council, the UK Arboretum Legacy Campaign, or a charity of your choice. www.milwardfuneral.com