Comments on the life and times of John A. Simpson
In lieu of flowers or other memorials, the family intends to establish a
lectureship in John's name. Checks should be made out to The University of
Chicago and sent to the John A. Simpson Memorial Fund, c/o The Enrico Fermi
Institute, 5640 S. Ellis Ave., Chicago, IL 60637.
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From: Margaret Kivelson
Professor of Space Physics, UCLA
I was a great fan of John's. He was a scientific leader, a wise counselor
(as I can attest from watching his contributions to committees), an elegant
speaker whose words were intensified by his idiosyncratic hand gestures, and
a kind and generous colleague who seemed interested in encouraging those who
were following in the paths he blazed. I join the many others who want to
let you know that we shall miss him.
--Margaret Kivelson
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From: Vernon Jones
NASA Headquarters
Since I first heard one of John's seminars, back in 1968 when I was a
posdoc at the Max Planck Institute in Garching, I have always thought of
him as the father of space-based cosmic and heliospheric physics. At
that seminar he was introduced as "The Father of Cosmic Rays." His
topic that day was what I have come to think of as charged particles
in the heliosphere.
Although I could not possible have known John as well as those
(many) of you worked directly with him at LASR in Chicago, I began
to really appreciate him after I joined NASA 15 years ago. He
loved science, and he was a true pioneer and pillar of space science.
He will be missed!
With great sadness,
Vernon Jones
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From: Jim Ling
It is with profound sadness to learn the passing of John Simpson
from Vernon yesterday. While many referred to John as the
"father" of cosmic ray physics, for those of us working in the
field of gamma-ray and x-ray astronomy, which had its birth from
cosmic ray physics, he was our "grandfather"
It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to interact with John
in several occasions during the last three years while I was at
HQ. He was truly a giant in my eyes who loved science, and was a
major force in the advancement of US space and astrophysics
research in the last 50 years. He will be dearly missed.
Please expressed my deepest sympathy to his family.
Jim
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From: Jack Gosling
AGU/SPA President
Dear family and friends of John Simpson,
I have just returned from an extended vacation to learn of John's
death in late August. John was one of the grandfathers of space
physics and his long, active and productive involvement in our
science enriched the field for all of us. I was especially pleased
to see his accomplishments recognized this spring with his receipt of
the Bowie Medal, the American Geophysical Union's highest honor. His
career provides a model that the rest of us would do well to emulate.
I know his passing creates a void that will be difficult to fill.
Please convey my sympathies to all who were close to him.
Sincerely,
Jack Gosling
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From: Helen E. Coffey
NOAA National Geophysical Data Center
Solar and Upper Atmosphere Data
The NOAA National Geophysical Data Center is saddened to hear of the
loss of Dr. John Simpson recently. His name is connected with so much
pioneering work in cosmic rays, it's amazing. He phoned me once and
introduced himself as the inventor of the cosmic ray neutron monitor. I
was speechless for a moment, knowing I was indeed talking with one of
the gods in this field of study. One expects that these bigger than
life people will go on forever. It is with chagrin that we hear of his
passing. I have referred to his published summary of cosmic ray
research a number of times.
Would you kindly extend our condolences to his family. It is difficult
to lose such a major contributor to science as well as a kind person.
We share your sorrow at this time of loss.
Sincerely,
Helen E. Coffey
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FROM: Richard G. Marsden
Ulysses Project Scientist, ESA
On behalf of all his friends and colleagues here at ESTEC, let me say how
deeply sorry we are at John's passing. Our heartfelt sympathy goes to Liz and
the family at their great loss. As a founding father of the Ulysses mission
and tireless champion of heliospheric science, John will be sorely missed.
Among his many unique qualities, I personally have always admired the genuine
interest and enthusiasm he showed towards the work of younger and less
experienced colleagues. It was a privilege to have known him.
Richard G. Marsden
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From: John F. Cooper
Raytheon Information Technology and Scientific Services Company (ITSS)
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Dear John,
Although it is extremely sad to hear of your untimely passing, I am proud
to have once been a part of your cosmic ray group and to have worked with
you.
On the first exploration of the Saturn magnetosphere by Pioneer 11, I
will always remember our most outstanding achievement. Together with Jim
Eraker, we determined the mass of Saturn's main rings from the Pioneer 11
measurements of secondary particles and gamma rays from high energy cosmic
ray interactions with the ring material. From working with your beloved
neutron monitors on Earth, we also got the idea to think about secondary
neutrons from the rings as sources for Saturn's proton radiation belts.
I continue a strong interest in applications of cosmic rays and energetic
particles to resolution of problems in planetary science, now
involving even the possibility of a radiation-driven ecology for life
within Europa.
Thanks for all your encouragements to explore new worlds and directions over
the years.
--John F. Cooper
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From: Tom Tomey
Science Instruments Manager (Retired)
Ulysses Project
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
I am deeply saddened at the loss of John Simpson whom I admired and had the
privilege of working with on the Ulysses project from 1979 to 1991. I
cherish our talks over lunch at the Commons at the University of Chicago
where he told me of his early days as a physicist in New York and how he was
invited to join the University of Chicago to work on instrumentation for the
Manhattan Project. He tried desperately but gracefully to decline the offer
but was unable to get out of it.
He told me that he even claimed to be unable to find housing and was then
offered a room in the home of the Professor (the name escapes me) that was
trying to hire him. He then had no choice but to accept. Little did anyone
know, at that time, of the great career and gift that was being brought to
the University by John.
John touched many lives, including mine. He treated me, as he did everyone,
with respect and dignity and made me a member of the COSPIN team of which I
am still proud to say that I participated in such a great science team.
With fond memories of John,
Tom Tomey
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From: Dave Berrier
Systems Director
(Retired from The Aerospace Corporation)
It was a memorable part of my career to have worked with Dr. John Simpson on
three programs: Pioneer F & G (the Jupiter flyby), The Combined Release and
Radiation Effects Satellite (CRRES), and the Advanced Research and Global
Observation Satellite (ARGOS). On each project, all were impressed with
John's creativity and friendly, yet no-nonsense, approach to getting the job
done right. The experiments provided by the University of Chicago developed
under his supervision and with his vision always functioned perfectly, were
always delivered on time, and each one advanced man's knowledge of the
universe.
The physical sciences and mankind are much improved because of his productive
life. John made a significant difference.
Dave Berrier
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From: Michael DuVernois, Last PH.D. Student of John Simpson's
I was deeply saddened to follow the daily medical reports and hear of
John Simpson's passing. As his final student, I remember him as a
patient, friendly, and nearly infinitely wise mentor, colleague, and
friend. He will be sorely missed both in the cosmic-ray community and in
the public policy arena. As I set up my new lab at the University of
Minnesota I know that I owe him a large fraction of my academic
achievements. He put his students first and followed our careers with
interest and obvious joy at our successes.
He should be best remembered for the McMahon Act and the Bulletin of the
Atomic Scientist, as well as the invention of the neutron monitor and
the long list of space experiments he led, from instruments on IMP
through EHIC and Cassini.
With sadness,
Michael DuVernois
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From: Ed B. Massey
Manager, Voyager & Ulysses Projects
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
During the 13 years I knew John, I was impressed by his
accomplishments in science, education and public policy. I was
equally impressed by the fact that John was a genuinely good person,
someone whose presence I enjoyed. I, and my colleagues at the
Ulysses Project Office, will miss him.
Ed B. Massey
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From: John A. Wood
Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory
Subject: Requiescat in Pace
Dear Colleagues:
It is with great sadness that I relay to you news I have received
from Tom Donahue, that one of the most distinguished members of
Section 16, John Simpson, died Thursday, August 31, of complications
from heart surgery. John worked with Enrico Fermi at the University
of Chicago in the Manhattan Project; subsequently he was a pioneer in
promoting the peaceful uses of atomic power and establishing the
Union of Atomic Scientists. He helped develop the McMahon Act of
1946; invented the cosmic ray neutron intensity monitor that provided
the first evidence for the existence of the heliosphere; and
participated in numerous space missions, notably Pioneers 9 and 10.
Respectfully submitted,
--John
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[From Chairman of the University of Chicago Physics Dept. to the Physics Dept. Faculty]
Dear Colleagues:
I am sad to report that John Simpson passed away this
afternoon, after a brief illness.
John has been a key member of the Physics Department for the
last half-ce ntury. His accomplishments in research, and his contributions
to the life and the development of the Physics Department , have been really
extraordinary.
John's research began with cosmic ray neutron monitors in the
40's and 50's , and extended through early satellite e xperiments in
the Explorer, Pioneer, and Mariner programs. One of his most dramatic
accomplishments was his experiment on the Ullysses Spacecraft
mission, which must have logged over a billion miles by now [see
attachment below] and has returned an enormous amount of information
about the heliosphere -- first out to the orbit of Jupiter and then
in a pass over both of the orbital poles of the solar system.
John's instruments have also flown on the Halley's comet flyby and
the continuing Cassini mission to study the rings of Saturn.
In the Physics Department, John was responsible for establishing
the Zachariensen Lectures, which have become a key tradition and a
landmark event for our Department each year. He also created the
Compton Lecture series, which has be enormously successful for many
years in bringing forefront science, presented by outstanding young
University of Chicago scientists, to the general public. John's
continuing concern for his colleagues and for the Department, as well
as his constant enthusiasm and optimism, have been very deeply
appreciated.
John's many awards, which include the Quantrell Award and the
Norman MacLean Award, are too numerous to list. He was a wonderful
colleague and friend, and he will be greatly missed.
Frank Merritt, Chairman
Physics Department
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Dear All,
I called Marcos Moshinsky a couple of days ago to inform him about John
Simpson's illness. We both recalled John's soft smile as he told the
stories about his visit to Mexico some forty five years ago, and how he had
helped the Physics Department here get on with its work. The very sad news
has just reached me and I know we are going to miss this scientist gentleman
so much.
Alejandro Nadal
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At the 12th Course of our International School in Erice (Nov 11-21,
2000), we shall devote a memorial session to Prof. Simpson's life & work.
Feel free to mention this to Mrs. Simpson.
Maurice Shapiro
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From: Seth Grae
Friends,
I am deeply saddened by this news. It is a privilege to have known John and
to have worked with him on the Bulletin Board. I will miss him very much.
Seth
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Last Date Updated: September 22, 2000