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HERMAN CUMMINS Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for HERMAN CUMMINS
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Marc Milkin
April 17, 2025
Dear Herman and Marsha,
Thinking fondly of you both!
Marc
Marc Milkin
April 17, 2023
Dear Herman & Marsha,
Memory is long...and you will both live in mine until the day I can´t remember anything. You are both a very big part of who I am every day, and I am thankful.
Love, Marc
November 25, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ryan Snow
September 22, 2014
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
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Civil Engineering Journals
Francesca
August 2, 2011
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the homepage is wonderful. greatful ideas. i think it´s very interesting
nice greets:)
Jiufeng Tu
April 21, 2011
Today is the one year anniversary of Herman's passing. He remains on our minds and in our thoughts.
Walter Goldburg
January 31, 2011
I am deeply saddened to learn of the death of Herman, a friend and and an admired colleague. I count myself as very fortunate to have known him well.
Henry Chou
January 19, 2011
I was a graduate student under Herman at City College 1984-1988. Working with Herman was one of the best things that ever happened to me. Herman was the truest gentleman I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I always remind myself that if I could be just a tiny fraction of Herman, I would have lived up to my own expectations. I can say that, aside from my parents, he is the person who had the most influence on me in terms of how to acquire knowledge as well as how to conduct life.
May he rest in peace. He will live in our memories.
Jiufeng Tu
October 1, 2010
Physics Symposium in Honor of the Work and Life of Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Physics Herman Z Cummins
Friday, October 15, 2010, The City College of New York
Morning Program (in Shepard Hall Room 95)
9:00 – 9:05 Opening Remarks by Dist. Prof. Joseph L. Birman
9:05 – 9:15 Welcoming Remarks by Provost Daniel E. Lemons (acting) and Dean of Science Ruth E. Stark (interim), CCNY
Morning Session I (Chaired by Prof. Jiufeng J. Tu)
9:15 – 9:55 Prof. Manuel Cardona, Max-Planck-Institute for Solid State Research
“Raman Spectra of Solids: anharmonic and isotopic effects - A homage to Herman Z. Cummins” (Introduced by Dist. Prof. Joseph B. Birman)
9:55 – 10:35 Prof. Chandra Varma, University of California at Riverside
“Considerations on the Superconducting Transition Temperature through purely Electronic Mechanisms” (Introduced by Dist. Prof. Myriam P. Sarachik)
10:35 – 10:55 Coffee Break
Morning Session II (Chaired by Dist. Prof. Myriam P. Sarachik)
10:55 – 11:35 Prof. Robert Leheny, Johns Hopkins University
“The Slow Dynamics of Glassy Materials” (Introduced by Prof. Jiufeng J. Tu)
11:35 – 12:15 Prof. Harry Swinney, University of Texas at Austin
“Internal Gravity Waves in the Oceans” (Introduced by Dist. Prof. Joseph L. Birman)
12:30 – 2:00 Lunch (in NAC Faculty Dining Room)
Lunch Program (Chaired by Dist. Prof. Myriam P. Sarachik)
1:00 – 1:30 Welcome from CCNY President Lisa Staiano-Coico
Remarks by CUNY Chancellor Matthew Goldstein
Afternoon Program (in Marshak 418)
Afternoon Session I (Chaired by Prof. Jiufeng J. Tu)
2:10 – 2:20 Opening Remarks by Vice Chancellor for Research Gillian Small, CUNY
Remarks by EO of Physics Ph.D. program, CUNY - Prof. Steve Greenbaum
2:20 – 2:35 Dr. Steve Shapiro, Brookhaven National Laboratory, “Herman and Phase Transitions”
2:35 – 2:50 Prof. Wolfgang Losert, University of Maryland, “From Waves to Migration - Studying Pattern Formation with Herman”
2:50 – 3:05 Dr. Hepeng Zhang, University of Texas at Austin, “Collective Motion in Bacterial Colonies”
3:05 – 3:20 Prof. Jeff Morris, the City College of New York, “How it all Comes Together: Gelation of Nanoparticle Dispersions”
3:20 – 4:00 Coffee Break/Poster Session
Afternoon Session II (Chaired by Dist. Prof. Joseph L. Birman)
4:00 – 5:30 Remembering Herman
Isaac Abella, University of Chicago, “Herman Cummins at Columbia, circa 1958-60” (3 mins)
Robert Gammon, University of Maryland, “Herman’s Early Days at Johns Hopkins from the Eyes of a Graduate Student” (12 mins)
Al Glassgold, UC Berkeley, Emeritus Professor of Physics, New York University, “How Herman Cummins Came Back to New York” (5 mins)
Robert Pick, Université P. et M. Curie et CNRS-UMR, “Herman in Paris 1956 to 2007” (12 mins)
Jiufeng Tu, CCNY, “Herman as my neighbor: 2003-2010” (5 mins)
Other speakers include: Kurt Becker, James Frost, Andreas Acrivos, Xiaojuan Cao
5:30 – 5:35 Closing Remarks by Dist. Prof. Myriam P. Sarachik
Jiufeng Tu
September 24, 2010
Dear Colleagues and Friends:
We have organized a full-day Symposium on October 15 (a link to the program is below) to celebrate the work and life of Distinguished Professor of Physics Emeritus Herman Z. Cummins, who died on April 21 of this year. This email is to invite you to come to this very special tribute to him and to join us at lunch on that Friday at the Faculty dining room.
In brief, there will be invited technical sessions in the morning, a luncheon, and a program in the afternoon that will include a few short technical talks, student posters, and an opportunity for brief reminiscences.
The choice of speakers and topics is guided by the work that Professor Cummins did during his long and very productive career. In light of the breadth and depth of his numerous contributions, the program is able to cover only a part of his scientific legacy. The objective is to organize a Symposium that Professor Cummins himself would have been eager to attend.
The four morning speakers are:
Professor Manuel Cardona (Max Planck Institute, Stuttgart) who will present current developments on laser light
(Raman) scattering as a probe of the elementary excitations in condensed matter systems;
Professor Chandra Varma (University of California, Riverside) who will discuss theory of electronic mechanisms for obtaining superconductivity;
Professor Robert Leheny (Johns Hopkins University) who will present work on the slow dynamics of glassy materials; and
Professor Harry Swinney (University of Texas Austin) will speak on internal gravity waves in the ocean.
We invite you to come to this very special tribute and to join us at lunch at the Faculty dining room. The Program will begin at 9AM on October 15 in room S95 Shepard Hall.
Please RSVP Sue Turner ([email protected]) if you would like to come to lunch and if you would like to make some brief remarks during lunch or in the afternoon session.
Sincerely,
Joseph L. Birman
Myriam P. Sarachik
Jiufeng J. Tu
Link to the program:
http://mail.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/~physdept/Fall2010/Program.pdf
Karesse Grenier
August 4, 2010
The last time I was with Herman, we shared lobster role at his favorite East Quogue seafood dive. He was very happy and was enjoying swimming in the bay. I will miss our ritual of going for Lobster and sharing many wonderful conversations about all aspects of life.
Debra Oryzysyn
June 14, 2010
I met Herman Cummins after the death of Marsha, as the bereavement counselor with the hospice program on which Marsha had been a patient. I was honored to hear of their great love story, and of the adventures they shared in their lives. He was such an amazing and wonderful human being that we would talk or e-mail every few months, over the years, even after his case with me had closed. I know that he did not believe in an afterlife, but I hope that somehow Herman and Marsha have found each other again, and are catching up with each other. My deepest condolences are extended to all of his family and friends. His presence here was a gift.
Marc Milkin
May 27, 2010
We all lived a good life together because of Herman and Marsha. Both Howard and Alice loved them dearly, as did I.
Jiufeng Tu
May 19, 2010
The Date for Memorial Symposium for Herman Z. Cummins at the City College of New York has been changed to Friday, October 15, 2010. Details will soon to follow.
Joseph L. Birman
Myriam P. Sarachik
Jiufeng J. Tu
Jiufeng Tu
May 5, 2010
According to Chinese tradition, the family will observe the "seven" day cycle for 7x7= 49 days, after a loved one has passed away. Today is 2x7=14 days since April 21. Members of my family remember fondly our friends Herman and Marsha Cummins.
Jiufeng Tu
May 2, 2010
A whole day Memorial Symposium to honor Herman Z. Cummins is planned for Friday, October 22, 2010 at the City College of New York. Details will soon to follow.
Joseph L. Birman
Myriam P. Sarachik
Jiufeng J. Tu
Hiram Paley
April 30, 2010
The Rochester, New York, Monroe High School Class of 1951 regrets very much learning of the death of our classmate Herman Z. Cummins. Those members of the class who knew Herman well recognized at the time that he was destined to become a distinguished scientist. His brilliance was very apparent over 60 years ago. We recognize that his death is a major loss to the world of physics and his many friends from high school are saddened by his death. He will be missed by a large variety of friends.
December 15, 2008 Herman's Celebration
Andreas Acrivos
April 30, 2010
Andreas and Jennie Acrivos remember with great fondness their friends Herman and Marsha Cummins, their many meetings over 20 years, at their respective homes in Manhattan, The Metropolitan Museum, and gourmet dinners at Grande Casse, Saint Martin. Andreas, an Emeritus Einstein Professor CCNY is the guy with a bow tie in the pictures, and Jennie, an Emeritus Physical Chemistry Professor SJSU was the photographer.
Binlin Wu
April 30, 2010
I was told Prof. Cummins is my professor's professor's professor's professor.
In China, I was working with Prof. Zhang Cunzhou. Actually, my official advisor was Prof. Zhang Cunzhou's student, Yang Yanyong. Prof. Zhang Cunzhou is the first graduate studfent of Prof. Zhang Guangyin. I was told Prof. Zhang Guangyin worked with Prof. Cummins at CCNY in maybe 1970s.
Anny Werman Heydemann
April 30, 2010
I received the news of Herman's death with great sadness. He lived across the street from my family while we were in the same class at Monroe High. We were good friends at that stage of our lives, although we lost contact with each other on graduation. I enjoyed reading about his many academic achievements and his rich and full life.
Alexios Polychronakos
April 30, 2010
Herman,
You shared your science, wisdom and joie de vivre with us, leaving us all richer in mind and spirit. Your memory will stay as a lasting gift, but your place as a mentor, respected senior colleague and cherished coffee-time companion and interlocutor will never be filled.
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Even though only 12 pictures are previewed in the Guest Book Photos, there are actually more photos in it. You can view them by klicking "view slideshow" below. You can also upload more photos (10 at a time).
John Lombardi
April 29, 2010
Herman: Thanks for all your help over the years. I learned so much from knowing you, and will miss you.
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 29, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Symposium in Celebration of
Distinguished Professor Herman Z. Cummins’ 75th Birthday
Tuesday, December 16, 2008, The City College of New York
Herman Z. Cummins joined the Physics Department of City College in 1974 as Distinguished Professor of Physics, and immediately established his laser spectroscopy laboratory as one of the leading research sites in the world. His cutting-edge investigations cover: statistics of radiation-matter interactions, as well as elastic, quasi-elastic and inelastic light scattering (Rayleigh, Brillouin and Raman). His many seminal studies have elucidated the physical mechanisms in diverse areas: paraelectric-ferroelectric phase transitions, commensurate-incommensurate transitions, exciton and polariton formation, liquid-glass and colloidal systems, and many more.
Herman has received numerous honors: he was elected a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences (1996); he is a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences (2001), he was awarded the Docteur es Sciences, honoris causa, by the Universite de Paris, and a Senior Fellowship by the Humboldt Foundation. Earlier he received the Maryland Academy of Sciences Outstanding Young Scientist Award (1967), the Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship (1969-72), Guggenheim Fellowship (1984), and election as Fellow of the American Physical Society and the New York Academy of Sciences. Prior to joining the City College he was Professor of Physics at Johns Hopkins University and then at New York University. These academic positions followed his PhD and postdoctoral appointments at Columbia University under the mentorship of Professor Charles Townes (Nobel Laureate). Herman Z. Cummins was born on April 23, 1933 in Rochester New York, completed undergraduate work at Ohio State University, and as a Fulbright Scholar at the Universite de Paris. He and Marcia Z. Hirsch were married in 1963. In celebrating his 75th Birthday, all of his friends and colleagues join in a sentiment expressed by Professor Townes at his 60th birthday celebration – “May his light continue to shine brightly on the world of physics and on his many friends”. Happy Birthday Herman!
Scientific Program (in MR-418N: Distinguished Prof. J.L. Birman presiding)
2:00 – 2:30 Prof. Harry Swinney (University of Texas)
“Deadly competition between sibling bacterial colonies”
2:30 – 3:00 Dr. Steve Shapiro (Brookhaven National Laboratory)
“Incommensurability and Charge Density Waves in Shape Memory Alloys”
3:00 – 3:30 Prof. Wolfgang Losert (University of Maryland)
“Decision making and group behavior in Cell dynamics”
3:30 – 4:00 Coffee Break
4:00 – 4:30 Prof. Robert Pick (Université P. et M. Curie et CNRS-UMR 7590)
“The liquid-glass transition: Can we learn something on water from LiCl,
R H2O with R~6?”
4:30 – 4:45 Prof. Wolfgang Goetze (Munich University of Technology)
“Evolution of glassy dynamics in liquids”
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 28, 2010
Jiufeng Tu
April 27, 2010
Isaac Abella
April 24, 2010
Very sorry to learn of passing of Herman Cummins. He and I were graduate students at Columbia University Radiation Lab under Chsrles Townes, attempting to make the first laser in 1960. He was an esteemed colleague.
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