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In Memoriam: Frederic E. Volz,
Nov 02, 2010
In Memoriam: Frederic E. Volz, 1922-2010
Frederic E. Volz, an OSA Fellow Emeritus known for his contributions to the field of atmospheric optics, died on 2 November 2010 at his home in Lexington, Massachusetts. He was 88.
Born in Germany, Volz came to the United States in 1958 for a post-doctoral research position at the Planetary and Applied Physics Department, Harvard University, and its Blue Hill Observatory in Milton, Massachusetts. He later accepted an academic research position in Germany, but he returned to the U.S. to work as a Research Scientist at the U.S. Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratory (AFCRL), Hanscom Field, Massachusetts.
Volz focused on the study of atmospheric optics, detection of atmospheric aerosols including suspended volcano and Sahara dust, and pollutant particles in the atmosphere. He invented and patented a photometer, which became the standard instrument for a global network of atmospheric aerosol observations. In 1972, he received the AFCRL's O'Day Award for his outstanding contributions.
An OSA member for 40 years, Volz contributed numerous articles to OSA journals and other scientific publications.
Volz was an avid hiker, devoted gardener and a loving father and grandfather. He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Sybille, three children and several grandchildren.
This obituary was contributed by The Boston Globe.
If you would like to make a donation to the OSA Foundation in memory of Dr. Volz, please visit www.osa-foundation.org/give.
