|
In memoriam: Hermann A. Haus,
1925 to 2003
May 22, 2003
Dear Friends,
It is with profound sadness that I report the passing yesterday
of Hermann Anton Haus,
Institute Professor Emeritus.
Hermann was born in Ljubljana, Slovenia in 1925. After attending
the Technische Hochschule, Graz, and the Technische Hochschule,
Wien in Austria, he received his Bachelor of Science degree
from Union College in Schenectady, New York in 1949. In 1951,
he was graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with
a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, and came to
MIT, where he earned his Doctorate of Science and joined the
faculty in 1954. Hermann was promoted to Associate Professor
in 1958, to Professor in 1962, and to Elihu Thomson Professor
in 1973. In 1987, he was conferred the honor of Institute
Professor. In 1995, he was awarded the National Medal of Science.
In his over half century at RLE and MIT, he was a prolific
contributor to the emerging technologies in the field of optics.
When Hermann was asked what his philosophy of life was, he
said, “Try to do your best, because that’s all
part of the fun. The greatest thing is that once in a while
something clicks. It happens every three or four years. It
can’t happen more often than that, except for some exceptional
individuals.” Hermann was, of course, one of those very
exceptional individuals. His death is a tragic loss for his
family and friends, and for the Laboratory and the Institute.
I know that you will join me in conveying your sympathies
to Hermann’s wife, Eleanor, to his family, and to his
wide circle of close friends. His achievements merit reflection,
and at the appropriate time, celebration. We will keep you
informed when the time comes when we as a Laboratory can honor
Hermann’s legacy of contribution to the life of RLE.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey H. Shapiro
Director
Julius A. Stratton Professor of Electrical Engineering
|
