In Memoriam

Robert O. Pepin, 1933-2023

Professor Emeritus Robert Pepin of the School of Physics and Astronomy passed away on January 6th at the age of 89. Pepin joined the School as a Research Associate in 1965 and then joined the faculty as an Assistant Professor in 1966. He was a Professor of Physics from 1975 until his retirement in 2008.  Pepin’s research focused on mass spectrometry. He was a leader in using the isotopes of rare gasses to probe the geology of our solar system, including meteorites, lunar rocks returned during the Apollo missions (in which he played a leading role), and interplanetary dust returned from missions in the early 2000's. He was the director of the Lunar Science Institute from 1974-1975. Pepin was recognized with a host of awards, most recently the Fred Whipple Award from the American Geophysical Union in 2020. After retirement he continued to work as a consultant to NASA on the MARS rover missions as well as other projects.

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John Broadhurst, 1935-2023

Professor Emeritus John Broadhurst of the School of Physics and Astronomy passed away on October 17th , 2023. He was 88 years old. John was born in England in 1935 and received all of his degrees from the University of Birmingham, where he was also a Research Staff Fellow. John first visited the School in 1965 while on sabbatical, and he was instrumental in the construction and commissioning of the “Emperor” van de Graaf accelerator. He was appointed to the faculty as an associate professor in 1968, was promoted to professor in 1975, and he retired from the regular faculty in 2015. 

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Roger Stuewer, 1934-2022

Professor Emeritus Roger H. Stuewer, founding director of the Program in History of Science and Technology at the University of Minnesota, died at age 87 on July 28, 2022, in his home in New Brighton. For decades he was a leading light in the history of modern physics, a mentor to younger scholars, and a friend to many—both in the history and philosophy of science and in physics.

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Terry Thibeault, 1956-2021

Former School of Physics and Astronomy administrative staff member Terry L. Thibeault passed away on Nov. 21, 2021. She retired in 2018 after 41 years, the bulk of which were spent working as administrative staff first in the Astronomy office of the School of Physics and Astronomy, then in the Minnesota Institute for Astrophysics. 

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Russell Hobbie, 1934-2021

Professor Russell Hobbie of the School of Physics and Astronomy passed away on December 16th. He died peacefully at home after suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for many years.

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Cecil “Jake” Waddington, 1929-2020

Professor Emeritus Jake Waddington passed away on October 1, 2020. He was 91 years old. Jake had been a member of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota since 1962 and will be greatly missed.

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Mikhail "Misha" Voloshin, 1953-2020

Professor Misha Voloshin passed away on March 20, 2020 from heart failure. He had been battling lymphoma for several years. Misha had been a member of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota since 1990 and will be greatly missed.

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A Fellowship has been founded in his name at the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota. To make a gift, visit the University Foundation website.

Walter "Cork" Johnson, 1928-2019

Professor Emeritus Cork Johnson passed away on September 24, 2019. Cork had been a member of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota since 1958 and will be greatly missed.

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A Scholarship has been founded in his name at the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Minnesota. To make a gift, visit the University Foundation website.

Hans Courant, 1924-2019

Professor Emeritus Hans Courant passed away on August 21, 2019. Hans had been a member of the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Minnesota since 1963 and will be greatly missed.

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