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Britton Chance Obituary
Chance died of heart failure at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia on Nov. 16, Marc Kaplan, a spokesman for Penn's School of Medicine said Tuesday.
In 2003, Chance worked to further the science of polygraphs - lie detectors - by developing an imaging machine that could detect blood-flow changes in brain areas stimulated by deceit.
The following year, he began testing a device that women could use at home for detecting breast cancer in its earliest stages. The prototype used near-infrared light that traveled deep into breast tissue to detect metabolic changes.
Besides his work in science, Chance was also an avid sailor who won a gold medal on the U.S. sailing team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics. He remained active into his later years.
At 88, Chance could be seen riding a bicycle from his home to his Penn research lab, where he worked 12 hours a day, six days a week, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
Chance was born in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., in 1913. While still a teenager, his passion for sailing led him to invent an auto-steering device to prevent vessels from sailing off-course.
He went on to earn two doctoral degrees, one in physical chemistry from the University of Pennsylvania in 1940 and another in biology and physiology from Cambridge University in 1942.
During World War II, Chance helped develop a radar system at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that allowed blimps to spot German submarines off the Eastern Seaboard.
Chance then returned to Penn where, from 1949 to 1983, he was an enzyme researcher, professor of biophysics and physical chemistry, and director of the Eldridge Reeves Johnson Foundation for Medical Physics.
He was elected to the National Academy of Science in 1954 and 20 years later received the National Medal of Science. After 1983, he became an active emeritus professor at Penn, where the Stellar-Chance Laboratories are named after him.
Copyright © 2010 The Associated Press
28 Entries
Monica Ann McKean
August 16, 2021
I miss you every day. You are a gift from God. We will forever be thankful to you and love you for all the mercy you have shown us. Love from Monica Ann McKean & family
Diane Rupp
January 30, 2011
To the family and friends of Dr. Britton Chance, You were truly blessed to have this man in your lives - I met him only at conferences and was awed by his erudite questions of post-grad students - positive, pushing, encouraging them to THINK !!! I stumbled on this obituary tonite and am remembering him bicycling off and leading a pack of scientists to follow in his dust and share dinner at his home. He remains in my heart, DR
Anne Blackman Beeton
December 28, 2010
Dear Ellie
I am so sorry to hear of your father passing. He was one of my heroes.
Remembering the weekends at the house in Philly when I ran away from Baldwin.
Please contact me if you read this note.
[email protected]
December 16, 2010
The Science has lost a great scientist and biochemists are deprived of one of the greatest biochemist of the 20th century. May Britton Chance attain highest spiritual illumination.While departing my meeting with BC on July 28,2008,when I wished him the Vedic Span of 100 years,B C retorted,"I will live for 200 years". Britton Chance will live forever,though mortally he has departed.
Anant N Malviya, Strasbourg, France.
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M.A Blair
December 13, 2010
My very blessed friend-Blair
December 13, 2010
The Science has lost a great scientist and biochemists are deprived of one of the greatest of the 20th century.May Briton Chance attain highest spiritual illumination. While departing my meeting with him on July 28,2008 when I wished Chance the Vedic Span of 100 years,he retorted ,"I will live for 200 years".He will live forever though mortally he has departed.Annt N Malviya,Strasbourg, France
amanda
December 6, 2010
I found comfort in the loss of my husband of 40yrs in God's promise at 1Corinthains 15:26,and it is my sincere hope that you will as well
December 6, 2010
Doctor Britton Chance will be missed. May the peace of God that excels all thought, comfort this family during this time of sorrow. Philippians 4:7
December 5, 2010
MY SYMPATHY ~HARLEY QUENCY
Chele
December 4, 2010
We can all look forward to a time when there will be no more sickness, crime and death because God promises to make all things new."
December 4, 2010
To the family of Dr. Britton Chance, I like to express my deepest sympathy for the loss of your beloved one. Our Heavenly Father promises that death will be no more-Revelation 21:4.(Erma L. Davis, Park Forest, IL.)
December 2, 2010
"May the God of comfort, who comfort us in all our trials bring you comfort at this time."(2Cor.1:3,4)
December 2, 2010
To the Chance Family,
I am so sorry for the loss of such a family treasure like Mr.Chance. At this difficult time cling to the many wonderful and exciting memories he must have made over the years, and no matter how long or short he was in your lives, you all were blessed to have such a precious gift like him.
Find comfort from Psalms 34:18-"God is near to those broken at heart...
Chance was my maiden name, so I thought it was amazing to know someone else with this unusual name.(smile)
The Grant Family
December 2, 2010
God Bless...
Tom Smith
December 2, 2010
May God comfort the family and friends of Dr. Britton Chance. We can all look forward to a time when there will be no more sickness, crime and death because God promises to make all things new.
Hamilton Family
December 2, 2010
Dr. Chance lived a productive life in order for others to do the same by means of his research. He would have appreciated the book of Isaiah in chapter 65 verse twenty-two. ".. like the days of a tree will the days of my people be, and the works of their own hands my chosen ones will use to the full." Would not we all like to see this? My sympathy to the family; may you have comfort from your good memories and peace in the days ahead.
A Friend
December 2, 2010
My condolences to the Chance family on your loss. May the Bible's promises for the future bring you comfort and peace. (Is. 61:2)
Rob Hunter
December 1, 2010
Dr. Chance was a great American. He lived a full and productive life. God bless his family and friends during this time of grief.
December 1, 2010
I had the opportunity to work for Dr. Chance and his family for years. He will be missed. With deep sympathy, Pearl Crawley-Wise and Family
becca
December 1, 2010
Amazing........Mr. Chance led a life most people could not even imagine. Exceptional man, exceptional life. He was blessed, indeed. Rest in peace, sir.
December 1, 2010
I remember working with Dr. Chance at Johnson Research Foundation as a teen, he was a very dedicated hard working man. Once he sent me to the morgue as a joke. I saw lockers with Jane Doe & John Doe, a door was open and I saw a man's foot with a tag. When I returned, he asked if I enjoyed my tour of the library. I also had the pleasure of living with him and his family during my summer vacations from Virginia. Dr. Chance will be missed and remembered by all that knew him, with deep sympathy, Bridget (Crawley) Christian-Robinson.
December 1, 2010
I remember working with Dr. Chance at Johnson Research Foundation as a teen, he was a very dedicated hard working man. Once he sent me to the morgue as a joke. I saw lockers with Jane Doe & John Doe, a door was open and I saw a man's foot with a tag. When I returned, he asked if I enjoyed my tour of the library. I also had the pleasure of living with him and his family during my summer vacations from Virginia. Dr. Chance contributed so much to our society. I also remember he and his family taking sailing trips, he will be missed and remembered by all that knew him, with deep sympathy, Bridget (Crawley) Christian-Robinson.
lillian Crosby
December 1, 2010
To theChance's !
I would like to extend my fellow feeling to the family and friends. Lossing a dear love one like Dr. Chance breaks the circle of life. Our heavenly father is there with all the comfort needed to keep your faith and hope moving forward and he caresz so much for you all as you know.As time move on the many accomplishments and contributions Dr. Chance made will help to ease the pain of losssing him and keep supporting you all. The time is coming when dying will be a thing of the past, great new indeed. I look forward to that time because I loss my dear mother too and know the affects of death. May your all journel of life be bright as the days keep moving forward.
A Careing person
Glen Farris
December 1, 2010
It is rare that the world has a man who has done so much for society. Thank you for your contributions. May you rest in peace.
R Golay
December 1, 2010
To the the family of Dr Britton Chance - May God give you peace and comfort through his word and the Lord Jesus Christ during this time of sorrow, I know that Dr Chance will be missed by many.
MM
November 30, 2010
To family and friends of Mr.Britton chance
Please accept my heart-felt condolences. remember the fullness of his life his contribution to science. God bless you.
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