Thor N. Rhodin

Obituary
THOR N. RHODIN
Thor N. Rhodin, Professor Emeritus, Applied and Engineering Physics, Cornell University. 9 December 1920 to 17 February 2006.Professor Thor Rhodin died quietly in his sleep on 17 February 2006. He was an eminent scientist and educator, a dedicated Quaker and a devoted family man.He earned his B.S. from Haverford in 1942 and his Ph.D. from Princeton in 1946. His career as an educator spanned more than 30 years beginning at the James Franc Institute of the University of Chicago and ending at the School of Applied and Engineering Physics at Cornell University during which time he taught at Cambridge University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well. He lectured on a wide range of subjects in the physical sciences to countless undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral students on three continents.Professor Rhodin is credited with pioneering work in the birth and evolution of surface sciences beginning with his research on surface sensitivity using auger electron spectroscopy. He played a major role, over several decades, in shaping the development of the field from fundamental work, using the field ion microscope, on the imaging and bonding of individual atoms at surfaces to the fundamentals of surface catalysis of hydrocarbon chemistry by the transition metals. His early work at Cornell on the atomic processes that lead to the formation of oriented epitaxial crystalline films on substrates is still quoted extensively in current literature. Thor had a reputation for excellent instincts in choosing the directions of research that would make the biggest impact in the fields of surface physics and surface chemistry. Author of more than 200 scientific articles over his career, Thor attracted the best students to work with him, many of whom have subsequently become recognized leaders in the field in their own right. He received the Humboldt Senior Scientist Prize in 1986, was a fellow of the American Physical Society and served as advisory editor on numerous scientific journals.In his 80's, Thor inspired, and actively participated in, cutting edge research in the field of atomic force microscopy (AFM). He mobilized interdisciplinary initiatives involving experts in physics, surface sciences, microbiology and genetics, culminating in the publication of several articles on the imaging of RNA polymerase II. His work established the plausibility of using AFM as a direct imaging tool for large protein complexes that are being increasingly recognized to be critical for many cellular functions.Thor worshipped with the Ithaca Society of Friends and actively supported its mission from 1958 until his health began to deteriorate. He served as its Clerk from 1976 to 1978 and was active in its First Day School in the 1960's and the 1980's. At various times, he acted as Recording Clerk on numerous committees including the Program Committee, Ministry and Oversight, Trustees, Peace and Social Action and the Burt House Committee; in addition, he frequently served as the Meeting's representative at Regional Meeting and the New York Yearly Meeting. As a longstanding member of the Union of Concerned Scientists, he was steadfast in his support of their work in addressing critical arms control and environmental issues. Working evenings and weekends, Thor was an active draft counsellor during the Vietnam War.He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Elspeth Lindsay Rhodin, his four children and seven grandchildren. His son, Robin, practices as an orthopaedic surgeon in Beaufort, S.C. His daughter, Ann, is an artist living in Ithaca, N.Y. His son, Lindsay, is a merchant banker in London, England and his son, Jeffrey, is a business process re-engineering expert based in Boston, Mass.A Quaker Memorial Meeting will be held in his remembrance at the Hector Meeting House, 5066 Perry City Road, in Ithaca on Sunday, June 4th 2006.