Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
David Falk Obituary
DAVID FALK
David Sagal Falk passed away on June 10, 2020 in his Greenbelt home. Born September 10, 1932 in New York City, David was Acting Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, and Professor and Associate Chairman of the Physics Department, at the University of Maryland. He is remembered and loved by his wife Nancy Falk, brother Stanley (and family), children Birgit Sharp (Ron) and Sam Falk (Kelly), and four grandchildren Elias, Dylan, Bailey, and Zoe. In lieu of flowers, Memorial Trees may be planted in his memory by visiting www.americanforests.org/
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for David Falk
Dr. David G. Stork
June 5, 2022
I was David Falk's graduate student and co-author on several papers and the textbook for Physics 106, "Seeing the light: Optics in nature, photography, color, vision, and holography." This book was extremely helpful in my obtaining my earliest faculty offers and successful courses. He was intellectually open minded, supporting my thesis work that straddled physics and perceptual psychology.
David was rigorous, and at times extremely critical, and while his approach was not appropriate for everyone, he instilled in me a sense of doing things right, never cutting corners, and being willing to challenge accepted scientific orthodoxy. Nobody would mistake him for a touchy-feely "whatever you do is OK" kind of scholar. So much of my scholarly, intellectual, academic, and professional success is due directly or indirectly to his mentorship, which at the time was often extremely demanding, but for which I'm grateful.
At times he had a wisdom that helped me see myself in a clearer light, and thus better myself, particularly for a career in academia. One example will suffice: He said that my "...greatest strength was also my greatest weakness: that you're intellectually broad." I've since managed to exploit my interdisciplinary strengths (with academic appointments in eight disciplines, including Computer Science and Art and Art History). My life and career have been enriched immensely as a result.
He was cultured and quite well-read (particularly for a scientist), and could bring quotes from popular culture and Shakespeare (and everything in-between) to bear in discussions and in our book.
--Dr. David G. Stork
Mark Twigg
September 8, 2020
I took two courses from Dr. Falk: Optics and waves in Spring 1972 and graduate statistical theormodynamics (replete with both "Platonic and non Platonic processes") in Fall 1973. Dr. Falk's informative lectures were full of amusing jokes and metaphors. He told us to treat the equations and theories of phsics as "toys" for our fun and amusement, and that we should make should to go home and "play with them". He sometimes lectured using overhead slides and he tended to move through them very quickly! This practice lead to his joke addressing whether he was violating Einstein's theory of special relativity by going through his slides faster than the speed of light. He added, however, that this central principle of relativity was not in fact violated because his rapidly placed slides conveyed no information!
Deirdre McElroy
June 11, 2020
David, you will always be a beloved human and marvelous character. May all the family comfort one another and draw ever closer.
John Galuardi
June 11, 2020
hen I worked at UMCP I had many opportunities to work with him and found him one of the most helpful and considerate staff members to deal with .
Henry McGlade
June 11, 2020
Oh my, what a fabulous professor. I am 63 and I still recall a few laws from "Dr. Falk's Magic Show" (1. the angle of refraction is equal to the angle of incidence 2. the summation of all forces is equal to zero, in a static world). And this from a history and econ major.
What a fabulous educator.
N. Persaud
June 11, 2020
My deepest sympathy to the family of David Falk. May you be comforted in knowing that our Heavenly Father cares for you. He will give you strength and courage to cope with your grief.
Psalm 94:17-19
Showing 1 - 18 of 18 results
Make a Donation
in David Falk's name
Memorial Events
for David Falk
How to support David's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor David Falk's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
