Hein Bauck Hvatum

Hein Bauck Hvatum, PhD

Hein Hvatum, the former Acting Director of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, passed away comfortably in his sleep at home on Thursday, May 22, 2008.

Hein was born on April 17, 1923, in Tonsberg, Norway of Elisabeth, a former concert pianist, and Ivar Worsoe Hvatum.

Hein first came to the National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) as a Research Associate in 1958. After a brief return to Sweden he returned to the NRAO as an Electronics Engineer in 1961. In 1962 he became Head of the Electronics Division, then Assistant Director and Associate Director for Technical Services in 1964 and 1972 respectively. During this time Hein was responsible for the successful completion of the 36 foot telescope on Kitt Peak. In 1974 Hein assumed responsibility for the construction of the Very Large Array of radio telescopes (VLA) in central New Mexico.

Over more than a quarter of a century Hein Hvatum guided all of the technical activities at NRAO including telescope design and maintenance, electronics, and computing. In 1980 Hein was given responsibility for the 25 meter telescope project. In 1984 Hein served as Acting Director of the NRAO. In 1985 he became Project Manager for the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA) before retiring at the end of 1987. Hein was active in both national and international programs for the protection of radio frequencies for radio astronomy. He was an avid cyclist, and an active Extra-class amateur radio operator with call sign N4FWA. Hein was a grandfathered member of the IEEE. In retirement, Hein was a member of the Albemarle Amateur Radio Club, a Volunteer Examiner with 37 exams to his credit, and an organizer of numerous community emergency preparedness drills. For many years he was the ARRL (American Radio Relay League) Emergency Coordinator for Albemarle County.

To read Hein's Thursday, May 29, 2008, obituary in the Washington Post please visit http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/ 2008/05/28/AR2008052803211.html

Hein is survived by his wife of 61 years, Randi; son Kjeld, daughter-in-law, Margaret; daughter, Elisabeth; grandsons, Erik Ivar Hvatum, Andrew Dudley Hvatum, Tor Olav Hvatum, Ian Nikolai Hellman; and granddaughter, Kelda Julianne Hvatum.

A memorial service is scheduled for Hein at 2 p.m. Friday, June 27, 2008, at the NRAO headquarters on 520 Edgemont Road in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Hein's memory be made to either Hospice of the Piedmont, 2200 Old Ivy Rd., Charlottesville, VA 22903; or to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, 77 Westport Plaza, Suite 101, St. Louis, MO 63146-3111


This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.