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In Memoriam: Martin Shenker, 1929 - 2021
Mar 31, 2021
Martin Shenker, OSA Fellow and OSA Emeritus Member, passed away on 31 March at the age of 92. Shenker had an extensive career in optical systems design and held several patents related to his research. Shenker was made an OSA Fellow in 1978. He was known for his work on the simulators of the Lunar Excursion Module, the optics used in night vision devices, and was considered a pioneer in the development of head up displays.
Shenker began his career in optical design at the Farrand Optical Company in the Bronx, NY, in 1949. He would stay at Farrand Optical Company until it closed in 1988, at which point, he held the position of Vice President of Optical Design. Shenker went onto establish his own company, Martin Shenker Optical Design Inc. (MSOD). Shenker would lead MSOD until his retirement in 2008. During his career, Shenker published numerous papers, including serving as co-author of “Visual Factors Associated With Head Mounted Displays” within the Handbook of Optics: Volume III (2010) published by OSA.
Shenker is survived by his wife Joyce, two children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. Shenker was a friend and colleague to many and will be dearly missed. OSA and the scientific community mourn the loss of Martin Shenker.
