Abraham Hertzberg

Abraham Hertzberg, age 80, of Beaux Arts, Wash., died March 27, 2003. Abe was raised in Richmond, Va. by the very patient and tolerant Reuben and Pauline Hertzberg. His creativity was evident at a very early age. Early experiments with rocketry led to his life’s fascination with high energy thermodynamics. He earned a BS in aeronautics at Virginia Polytechnical Institute (now Virginia Tech) and an MS at Cornell. With his wife, Ruth (deceased 2000), a mathematician, he began his work in high energy gas dynamics at Cornell Aerospace Lab. Together they perfected the shock tube, laying the groundwork for advanced hypersonic technology still used today. After Ruth left the lab to raise their family, Abe continued his visionary experiments which provided the basis for today’s lasers, as well as practical models for his other work with nuclear fusion, the RAM accelerator for low cost space travel, a zero polluting car and the liquid droplet radiator. He moved his work to the University of Washington in 1966, where he took the time to mentor numerous graduate students and junior faculty. Undergraduates competed fiercely for the opportunity to take his classes. He established the university’s aerospace and energetics laboratory which attracted top faculty and scientists from the entire world. He held 21 patents and published over 120 technical papers. Others frequently sought his advice. He was a scientific advisor to the Air Force, NASA, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the National Research Council, the National Academy of Sciences and innumerable companies in the aerospace, energy and optics industries. His lectures at universities and professional societies worldwide were legendary for their humor and technical insight. Abe predicted world events such as the energy crisis, effects of pollution, and the worldwide economic future. He was uniformly wrong about the economy, but eerily correct with the rest. Abe enjoyed entertaining his many guests by taking them deep sea salmon fishing even though he and Ruth were philosophically opposed to any activities before noon. Their home was filled with evidence of their extensive travels, during which they were often the honored guests of foreign governments. Abe is survived by his three children, Ellie, Paul and Bizzer; his two grandchildren, Aaron and Shmoo; and his sister, Bella; as well as his vast network of friends, colleagues and proteges. Everyone who met him will miss his enthusiasm for life and his work, his humor and his ability to dominate a room with the power of his voice. Services will be held Monday, March 31 at 1 p.m. at Green’s Funeral Home, 1215 145th Pl. SE, Bellevue, Wash. In keeping with Hertzberg tradition, the proceedings will begin approximately 15 minutes later. Donations in Professor Hertzberg’s memory will be made to: University of Washington, AA Department (specify the Hertzberg Fellowship, or the Ruth Hertzberg Award on the memo line) and sent to Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, University of Washington, Box 352400, Seattle, Wash. 98195-2400, Attn: Darlene Feikema.