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David Bodansky Obituary
David Bodansky passed away peacefully on December 3, 2012 at the age of 88. He was born in 1924 in New York City and graduated from Fieldston School in 1940. He received his B.S. in physics with highest honors from Harvard University in 1943, graduating a year early to serve as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Signal Corps of the Army, then returned to Harvard after the war to earn his Ph.D. in physics in 1950. He married Beverly Bronstein in 1952 and they celebrated their 60th anniversary earlier this year. He was a member of the Physics Department at the University of Washington for more than 50 years, and chaired the department for eight years from 1976-1984. His awards include an Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in 1959 and two Guggenheim Fellowships in 1966 and 1974. In addition to his long service at the University of Washington, he held visiting positions at the Bohr Institute, Caltech, Oxford, and Harvard. He authored numerous articles as well as two books on nuclear energy. He is survived by Beverly, his two sons and daughters-in-law (Joel and Annie, and Dan and Anne), and five grandchildren (Jonathan, Aaron, Rachel, Maria and Sarah). Remembrances may be made in his name to the Friends of Physics Fund, University of Washington Foundation, https://www.washington.edu/giving/make-a-gift/.
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Memories and Condolences
for David Bodansky
4 Entries
December 11, 2012
David Bodansky was nearly eighty when he wrote the best scholarly book on nuclear energy. Unlike the authors of many books in that field he did not ignore the problems associated with the nuclear waste produced in nuclear reactors and his book discusses various approaches for dealing with nuclear waste. It discusses different types of reactors as well as proposed new reactors. He was optimistic that the problems associated with nuclear energy could be overcome and that nuclear energy would be a vital component of the effort to deal with global warming. A kind person, he will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Susanne E. Vandenbosch, Ph. D.
December 10, 2012
Hello Bev,
I echo Judy's remarks. Dave was a marvelous boss and a great leader of the Department.
Darrell Scattergood
Ron Parkinson
December 10, 2012
Mrs. Bodansky, my most sincere condolences upon your loss. More than anyone else I have encountered, David Bodansky epitomized the ideals of a superb teacher as well as a scientist: friendly, patient, kind, and a clear explainer. Not to mention his concern for the real-world issues connected with his work. I am sure that all his many students revere his memory and feel privileged to have shared just a bit of the life you have shared so fully with him.
Judy McPhee
December 9, 2012
Dear Bev,
My deepest and heartfelt sympathy to you and your family for your loss. Working for Dave was an honor and a pleasure. He was a great human being who treated everyone with respect and dignity. His passing is a deep loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Judy McPhee
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