Dr. Carl Eugene Wulfman B.Sc., Ph.D.

Dr. Carl Eugene Wulfman, B.Sc., Ph.D., Theoretical Physicist, Professor Emeritus and former Chairman of the Department of Physics, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA, passed away at home in Seattle, Washington, August 29, 2018. He was 87. Carl was born on November 29, 1930, to Eugene Wulfman and his wife, Laura (Swinton) Wulfman, in Detroit Michigan, where he and his younger brother, David, grew up. The family summered at Lake Charlevoix, Michigan where both Swinton and Wulfman family had roots.

At age 10, a Gilbert Chemistry set sparked Carl's curiosity about chemicals. At 14, Carl wrote his first article, "Anthraconite Near Norwood Michigan," published in the October 1945 edition of "Rocks and Minerals." Carl attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, graduating early, top of his class, January 1949. In September 1949, Carl was awarded the Moses Gomberg Fellowship in Chemistry at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. The second week of his freshman year, Carl was introduced to Constance (Connie) Ann Hart. They were married September 6, 1952 at St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Milwaukee, WI. Carl graduated University of Michigan in 1953 with a Bachelor of Science degree as the top Chemistry Major. That year Carl pursued doctoral studies with a Fulbright Scholarship at Queen Mary College, University of London. Their first son, Michael, was born there the following February. He returned to the U.S. in 1955 with a PhD in Chemistry. His work took the family to Austin, Texas, where son Peter was born, then Defiance, Ohio, where son Andrew was born. In 1961, Carl was appointed Chair of the Physics Department, University of the Pacific, the family settled in Stockton and their youngest son, Edward, was born. Throughout his career, Carl published scientific papers advancing understanding of atomic physics. He presented his papers at scientific conferences worldwide.

Carl's sabbatical leaves provided travel opportunities both within the United States and to Oxford England, Mexico City, Canada, the Australian state of Tasmania, Christ Church New Zealand, Tel Aviv Israel, Japan, Italy, Turkey and Brazil. In 2011, Carl published his book "Dynamical Symmetry." He continued research until his passing, developing theories about physics of light over cosmological distances, and the geometry of expanding space-time volumes. This work has insightful implication for deeper interpretation of the rate the universe expands. Carl was an expert in geology and astronomy. He was an avid collector of fine mineral specimens, rare books, mushrooms, important scientific works, and history of early Canadian fur trade exploration. Carl enjoyed exploring the remote Sierra Nevada with his sons. He went on extensive adventures in remote British Columbia and the Yukon well into his '80's. Retiring in 1996, Connie and Carl relocated to the Olympic Peninsula, settling in Port Angeles, WA in 2003.

In September 2012, Carl and Connie celebrated 60 years of marriage. Connie passed on January 25th, 2013. Their four sons feel blessed that such adventurous, intelligent, and romantic parents guided them. Carl is survived by sons Michael, Peter, Andrew and Edward, grandchildren Heather, Haley, Leah, Alison, Laura, Annette, Brian, Michael and Zachary; great-grandchildren Desire'e, Kyrstyn, Aria, Madeline, Amelia and Zelda; sister-in-law Helga; his nephews, Mathew and Eric Wulfman, beloved cousins Sally Swinton-Bales, Ann DeWalt and Marion Richardson. He leaves his dear friends and colleagues Herb Reinelt, Neil Lark, Tai-ichi Shibuya, Sukeyuki Kumei, Greg Reid, beloved members of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church congregation, and many caring kindred and friends.

Service is at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles, WA 98362, 2pm October 16, 2018. All are welcome.