by Fred Fehsenfeld (delivered at the service held 14 May 2011)
George was truly "three-dimensional": An outstanding scientist, an exceptional leader and a wonderful friend. This evening, I would like to briefly play tribute to each of his "dimensions."
First, George was superb scientist. I make that statement based on a long history. We arrived in Boulder at about the same time, me in 1962, George a few months later in 1963. However, I was just out of graduate school while George was already an internationally recognized scientist. At that time, we both worked in the Central Radio Propagation Laboratory (CRPL) of the National Bureau of Standards (NBS). (It was only after many years that Government Agency plate tectonics moved us into NOAA.) From very early on, the attribute of George that impressed me the most was his scientific understanding that bridged several scientific disciplines. This gave him a unique prospective into the processes that controlled the dynamical and chemical variability of the atmosphere. Through his research, he was able to relate his understanding of the atmosphere to the critical environmental questions surrounding stratospheric ozone depletion and climate understanding. In this way, he was able to address how the Earth's atmospheric processes could have affected life on Earth in the past or conceivably would now or in the future.
On these subjects, George published one hundred and thirty-two scientific papers that were scientifically powerful and eloquent. In recognition of his scientific achievements, he received many awards, honorary scientific appointments, and invited lectures at international scientific gatherings. He received nine awards for Outstanding Publication and Distinguished Authorship and also the highest award of the Department of Commerce, the Gold Medal. The citation for that award enumerates the many fields of atmospheric science, aeronomy, where George made significant research contributions and cited specific examples of his outstanding leadership in the scientific community.
To many here today, and certainly to me, he was both a colleague and a mentor. His enthusiasm for and joy in science was infectious and inspiring. His love of science and involvement in it never waned. Only a few weeks before his death, he told me how happy he was to be writing yet another scientific paper with his younger colleague Karen Rosenlof. According to Dan Albritton, a former Director of the Aeronomy Laboratory:
"George was a unique classic. We all learned from him, just by seeing how he went about his science, which he so clearly loved."
Secondly, George was an exceptional leader. In his quiet but effective way, he led by example. He was one of the initial four fellows who began the University of Colorado's Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, CIRES, which has grown over the years to become the largest single unit of the University. For two years he served with distinction as Acting Director of NOAA's Aeronomy Laboratory. Eldon Ferguson, also a former Director of the Aeronomy Laboratory and a colleague of George's from the inception of the Laboratory, sent me an email that read in part:
"From our very first days working together, George and I became warm friends, as well as, colleagues! George had a great knowledge of all phases of science that made aeronomy. He possessed a very creative mind. His knowledge and insights were widely recognized and his counsel and advice provided critical guidance in determining our scientific goals and programs!"
But directing science was not George's aim. It distracted him from doing the science he cherished.
And finally, I would like to briefly remember George as a wonderful friend. In these remembrances however, I cannot separate him from the love of his life, Joan. What a team they made: George the scientist, Joan the lawyer. Whatever the activity or gathering, if they were there, they enhanced it. Betsy and I spent so many delightful evenings with them at their homes-away-from-home in Leadville and Frisco, as well as, at gatherings of friends that they had in their home here in Boulder. They were great companions on the many trips that we shared with them. And, over the years they led us on so many unforgettable hikes and cross-country ski treks in our beautiful Colorado Mountains. I know many of you here this evening shared those same experiences together with George and Joan. When I say delightful friends, you know exactly what I am talking about.
George loved his Scottish, Canadian, and American heritages. His pride in them was readily apparent. We all reveled at his Robert Burns Birthday Parties and ate haggis. The tie I am wearing is the Scottish tartan that I wore to those gatherings. And so I would like to end merely by saying:
For auld lang syne, George,
For auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup o' kindness yet,
For auld lang syne.