Dr. David Bulkeley Langmuir

Langmuir, Dr. David Bulkeley
Died peacefully at his home in Santa Monica, alert and surrounded by his family on January 31, 2003. Dr. Langmuir was 94 years old. Born in Los Angeles, he graduated from Yale in 1931, and received a Ph D. in physics from MIT. During World War II he worked closely with Vannevar Bush, serving as the radar representative of the United States in England, work which saved thousands of lives and for which he was decorated. After the war he was secretary of the guided missile committee of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, representative to Canada of the Atomic Energy Commission, and then founder and director of the Electronics Research Laboratory at the Ramo- Wooldridge Corporation, which eventually grew to be the Physical Research Center at TRW, Inc. His group of several hundred scientists and engineers sought to apply basic science to the solution of practical problems in spacecraft propulsion, semiconductor electronics, laser and holography, automotive emission controls, and nuclear safety. A distinguishing attribute of Dr. Langmuir's leadership was the enduring loyalty and esteem of those who worked for him, a reflection of the interest he took in them. After retiring in 1973, Dr. Langmuir explored deeply the ideas of G. I. Gurdjieff, Tibetan Buddhism, and Panetics, which is devoted to the reduction of suffering in the world. He worked closely with teenagers for more than thirty years, and was beloved by all who experienced his listening, intelligence, compassion, humor and objectivity. He was able to have enlivening conversations with any person from any walk in life. He worked tirelessly on translation, including the The Biosphere by V. I. Vernadsky, published in 1998. A memorial service is being held at the First Presbyterian Church of Santa Monica on Monday, Feb. 3rd at 4PM. Burial of his ashes will take place this summer near the family home on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Dr. Langmuir is survived by his wife Marianna (Nancy), daughters Diana Rosenthal and Jean Langmuir, son Charles Langmuir, and five grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Dr. Langmuir's name to The Gurdjieff Foundation of California, the Shambala Center of Los Angeles, and Panetics. For more information call (310)395-4034.