Philip Joel Greenberg

1942 - 2015
PHILIP JOEL GREENBERG

April 22, 1942-December 26, 2015



Dr. Philip J. Greenberg was born in the Bronx, New York to loving parents, Gertrude Schechter Greenberg and Harry Greenberg. An only child, he showed a deep interest in science at an early age. Philip attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City, receiving upon graduation the Rensselaer Medal for Science and Mathematics (1959) and later, the school's Distinguished Alumni Award (2002). He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) with High Honors (1963) and spoke with pride about the quality education received in both places. He received an MS in Physics (Stanford University, 1964) followed by a PhD in Astrophysics (University of Chicago, 1970) under the advisement of Nobel Prize recipient, Dr. Subramanyan Chandrasekhar. His dissertation focused on magneto-hydrodynamics in general relativity. A theoretical physicist and mathematical astronomer, he published on relativistic hydrodynamics in the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications and The Astrophysical Journal.



Philip did post-doctoral work at the University of Alberta Theoretical Physics Institute (1973-1975). He taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Monmouth College (NJ) and Roosevelt University (Chicago). He worked at the Atmospheric and Environmental Research Institute in Cambridge, MA and at Bell Laboratories/AT&T (NJ). He taught to share his science expertise with the general public at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.



As an independent scholar upon returning to Chicago, he formed a consulting agency, Atoms to Stars, to tutor students in science. Ahead of his time, he followed a unique path for a scientist, pursuing organizational management coursework at Carnegie Mellon University and completing a marketing/economics focused MBA at Boston University. He continued lifelong to write, conduct independent research, and tutor many students individually, conveying his love of physics and mathematics to the next generation. In recent years, he wrote for The Bridgeport News in Chicago, distilling his wisdom into pithy aphorisms.



Philip is one of eleven first cousins with whom he grew up in the NYC area. His long-time friend, Harry G. Ploss of Dallas, Texas, graciously supported Philip's life and work for the past several years. In Chicago, Philip has been the caring friend of Ivan and Israel Vargas and their family, Samaneh Ahmedi, Hamdan Azhar and Dustin Wei who generously gave of their friendship to him. Philip also had long, supportive conversations with Dr. John V. O'Leary of New York City to discuss philosophy and science.



At his request, Philip will be buried near his parents in Woodbridge, NJ at Beth Israel Cemetery with funeral arrangements coordinated by Chicago Jewish Funerals in Skokie, IL (http://chicagojewishfunerals.com). Burial arrangements will be private. The words Philip wished to be inscribed on his memorial plaque are "Per Aspera Ad Astra, through hardships to the stars." A memorial service in 2016 will honor his life and memory.



Donations in Philip's name may be made to the Stevens Institute of Technology Fund or to the Brain and Behavior Research Foundation.