University Of Delaware: In Memoriam: Thomas K. Gaisser

Wilmington DE

04 March, 2022

10:53 AM

Description

Press release from the University of Delaware: Article by UDaily staff March 04, 2022 Colleagues remember renowned astroparticle physicist, Antarctic researcher Thomas Korff Gaisser, the Martin A. Pomerantz Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Delaware and a leading theorist in the field of astroparticle physics, died Feb. 20, 2022, at his home in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, three weeks before his 82nd birthday. An internationally recognized giant in the field of cosmic ray and particle astrophysics, Dr. Gaisser was also the author of a textbook that has inspired generations of physicists and a leader who was instrumental in founding the scientific collaboration known as IceCube, which constructed and operates a neutrino observatory at the South Pole that has made many important discoveries. Among his numerous honors, a location in Antarctica is named Gaisser Valley. Colleagues share their memories Stuart Pittel, professor emeritus, Department of Physics and Astronomy: "Tom Gaisser was a dear friend and colleague of mine for over 50 years. It was always wonderful working with him. Tom was indeed the face of Particle Astrophysics and High Energy Cosmic Ray Physics at Bartol and at the University of Delaware, bringing enormous prestige to both. A wonderful scientist and a wonderful colleague, he will be greatly missed by me personally and by all who knew him and those who knew of him." Serap Tilav, scientist, Department of Physics and Astronomy, who was working with Dr. Gaisser on many projects until just a few weeks ago: "Tom Gaisser was a giant pillar in particle astrophysics we all leaned on. He will always be with us with his functions, formulas and methods which the field is built on. We will greatly miss his wisdom." Ralph Engel, head of the Institute for Astroparticle Physics in Germany who worked with Dr. Gaisser at Bartol as a former postdoctoral researcher and research scientist: "Tom has been one of the truly outstanding scientists in cosmic ray and, more generally, astroparticle physics. His work covers many fields, which he has typically shaped or helped to establish. … He will be sorely missed." Frank Schroeder, assistant professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy: "Tom Gaisser made it very easy for me to feel welcome and integrated when I joined the University of Delaware. In addition to all of Tom's physics achievements, he was a great person. I will miss having lunch with him and asking him for advice. Despite being retired, Tom was an active physicist until almost the last moment. He regularly joined our Bartol IceCube group meetings from home and continued to work on his own analysis." Jamie Holder, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy: "Tom was a world-renowned scientist, and his impact on the field of cosmic rays and astroparticle physics was enormous, both through his scientific contributions, his leadership in the IceCube collaboration, and through his teaching and mentorship. His famous textbook on cosmic rays, in particular, inspired generations of physicists in the field, and continues to do so today. As a long-term member of the Bartol Research Institute, he embodied the Institute's mission to 'foster excellence in research in physics and astronomy at the University of Delaware.' Tom mentored me through the early stages of my career at UD, and I will personally miss his wisdom, his fairness, his dry wit and level-headed guidance. Anyone who had the opportunity to work with Tom would know him to be a great scientist, a generous colleague and a true gentleman." A former postdoc at Bartol: "I learned so much from him. I often thought of his high standards, integrity and kindness. He was the embodiment of 'show not tell' in how to be a good scientist." Tribute from the IceCube collaboration: "Tom Gaisser was both a leader and the person everyone could count on. A giant in the field of cosmic-ray and particle astrophysics. A giant supporting the next generation of scientists in the field. A giant, kind person and a founder of IceCube. This is how his friends and colleagues will always remember him." This press release was produced by the University of Delaware. The views expressed here are the author's own.