About
In Memoriam: Hiroshi Takuma,
Dec 27, 2010
In Memoriam: Prof. Hiroshi Takuma, 1930-2010
Hiroshi Takuma, an OSA Fellow Emeritus who was an Emeritus Professor at Denki Tsushin Daigaku (The University of Electro-Communications) in Tokyo, Japan, died on 27 December 2010. He was 80.
Professor Takuma received his Doctor of Science degree from the University of Tokyo. During his long and distinguished career, he was a professor of Physics at the University of Tokyo and the University of Electro-Communications (UEC), director of the Institute for Laser Science (ILS) at UEC, director of R&D and a technical advisor at JEOL Ltd., a Member of Scientific Advisory Board of Novalux, Inc., and a Senior Advisor for the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute.
An OSA member for over forty years, Takuma served on the OSA Board of Directors from 1994-1996. He also participated on the OSA Awards Committee, as chair of the International Council on Quantum Electronics, on the Lasers, Photonics & Environmental Optics Editorial Advisory Board and on various OSA award and program committees. He was a Founding Member of the OSA Foundation Optics Trust, a distinguished group of individuals who have included the OSA Foundation in their wills and estate plans.
Takuma was a member of the Science Council of Japan, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Matsuo Foundation, Emeritus Member of the Japan Society of Applied Physics, director of the Japan Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine, and an Honorary Member of the Medical Laser Society of Japan. In 1995, IEEE named him a Life Fellow for leadership in the development of excimer lasers for laser fusion applications, and 2008, the Photo-Medical Research Center (PMRC) created the Professor Hiroshi Takuma Scholarship in honor of Professor Takuma and his pioneering contributions to laser development and spectroscopy.
In 1999, Prof. Takuma provided a donation to create the Japan Society of Applied Physics Takuma Award, given to the researcher(s) who achieved significant contribution in Optics and Quantum Electronics research works. The first Takuma award was given to Dr. Shuji Nakamura for his contribution to blue laser diode development.
Prof. Takuma was the author and co-author of more than 200 papers on lasers, optics and spectroscopy. His awards and honors include the National Medal of Japan with Purple Ribbon and the Order of Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon (Emperor's Award).
If you would like to make a memorial donation to the OSA Foundation in honor of Prof. Takuma, please visit www.osa-foundation.org/give.
