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17 April 2015
The Optical Society Mourns the Loss of John N. Howard
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
17 APRIL 2015
The Optical Society Mourns the Loss of John N. Howard
WASHINGTON — The Optical Society (OSA) today expressed its condolences at the loss of John N. Howard, past president of OSA and founding editor of the journal Applied Optics. Howard, who was known as an optics historian, passed away on Wednesday, 15 April. He was 94.
“John’s many journal articles chronicled the rise of not only The Optical Society, but the leaders and events that contributed to the growth of the U.S. optics industry,” stated Elizabeth Rogan, CEO of The Optical Society. “His contributions to optics continue on today with every issue of Applied Optics, a journal he founded in 1960, and led as editor for 27 years. He will be missed by all who knew him and we send our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Howard joined the Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories (later renamed the Air Force Geophysics Laboratory), where his research interests were infrared atmospheric transmission. He later headed the Infrared Physics Branch, and in 1960, the Optical Physics Division. In 1964 he became AFCRL’s chief scientist, a post he held for 17 years.
Howard was a fellow of The Optical Society and The American Physical Society. He was also a member of the Society for Applied Spectroscopy, the American Meteorological Society, the American Geophysical Union, and the History of Science Society. An active participant in these societies, Howard served on various committees (usually relating to publications). He also served on the AIP Publication Policy Committee, and on the Physics Today advisory committee including three years as chair. From 1983 to 1989 Howard served as editor of Optics & Photonics News.
About The Optical Society
Founded in 1916, The Optical Society (OSA) is the leading professional organization for scientists, engineers, students and entrepreneurs who fuel discoveries, shape real-life applications and accelerate achievements in the science of light. Through world-renowned publications, meetings and membership initiatives, OSA provides quality research, inspired interactions and dedicated resources for its extensive global network of optics and photonics experts. OSA is a founding partner of the National Photonics Initiative and the 2015 International Year of Light. For more information, visit www.osa.org.
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