Joseph F. Bird

Joseph F. Bird, Ph.D., of Laurel, Md., formerly of Scranton, died Dec. 8, at Bryn Mawr Terrace in Haverford. His beloved wife of 52 years, Joan (Slowey) Bird, died Oct. 3, 2007.

Born in Scranton, in 1930, son of the late Carl P. and Mary Collins Bird, Joseph was educated in Scranton schools. He was a graduate of Scranton Prep and the University of Scranton, earning an A.B. degree in physics in 1951. In his personal biographical sketch, he gave credit for his stellar educational and professional success to the Sisters, Servants of I.H.M. and the Jesuits. He received a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from Cornell University in 1958. He married Joan K. Slowey, also from Scranton, in 1955. Shortly thereafter, they moved to Laurel, where they lived for almost 50 years.

He was known by all to be lovingly devoted to the care of his wife, Joan, who had a progressive neurologic disorder. He provided constant support and much of her care, particularly in her later years as she struggled with severe physical disabilities.

He joined the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory in 1958 and became a principal staff member in the Theoretical Physics Problem Group of the Milton S. Eisenhower Research Center in 1962. He retired in 1995 after 37 years of service to the laboratory. He made innovative contributions in a multitude of areas, including star formation, acoustic instability in solid-fuel rockets, psychophysical analysis of vision, neural noise, oceanic hydromagnetism, electromagnetic levitation and wave scattering theory. He was honored by election to the New York Academy of Sciences. He loved hiking in the mountains, a favorite pastime that he acquired from his grandfather, James Collins, who took him hiking around Scranton in his childhood. He was able to spend considerable time after his retirement at this pursuit. He spent hours each week exploring the many mountainous trails of the George Washington National Forest in eastern West Virginia.

Surviving are a son, Shawn and wife, Terry; a sister, Sister Mary Carlita Bird, I.H.M., Scranton; a brother, Thomas Bird and wife, Ann; and three grandchildren, Ryan Bird, Erin Bird and Connor Bird.

He was also preceded in death by two brothers, Carl and Francis; and a sister, Margaret Mary.

Memorial contributions may be made to Sisters, Servants of I.H.M., 2300 Adams Ave., Scranton, PA 18509.