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In memory of Ian L. Spain
0008-6223/91$3.00 + .oO Copyright 0 1991 Pcrgamon Press plc
Carbon Vol. 29, No.?, p. 125, 1991 Printed in Great Briuun
In Memory of Ian L. Spain
Professor Ian L. Spain died on September 5, 1990, at the age of 50 from cancer. Ian was a senior faculty member of the physics department at Colorado State University. Ian was treated for the same illness eighteen months prior to his death and was given a clean bill of health even to the extent that he fell in love and was married three months prior to this sudden recurrence. He had accomplished so much of importance to science and technology and had contributed so much of himself to so many people. During his tenure on the staff of Colorado State University, and before that at the University of Mary1and, Ian made a memorable impression on his students, visitors, professionals, colleagues, and friends. Hardest to accept is the realization that he still had so much to offer to his friends, family, colleagues, and God. A deeply religious man, Ian was also studying theology for the last three years, and this together with his love of science and music led him to a full spectrum of life. He was also a skilled sailor which often took him and his sons back to Maryland or Washington for sailing. Ian was born in Kent, England, on June 19, 1940. He received his B.S. in Physics and A.R.C.S. in 1961, and his Ph.D. with A.R. Ubbelohde at Imperia1 College, University of London, in 1964. In addition to his commitments to science, Ian raised three boys after the death of his first wife Wendy. This year Ian witnessed his eldest son, Anthony, earn a doctorate in Music. His second son, Andrew, graduated with a degree in Political Science in the presence of his father. His youngest son, Russell, now studying at Colorado State Universiry, was married just prior to Ian’s death. In 1988 Ian co-authored a book, Graphite Fibers and Filaments, (with M.S. and G. Dresselhaus, K. Sugihara, and H.A. Goldberg: pub. Springer-Verlag). His area of scientific interest was the Physics of the Condensed Phase. Specifically the physics of Carbons and related materials (electronic properties, mechanical properties, structure-property relationships, highlyoriented pyrolytic graphite, carbon fibers, glassy carbon, intercalation of graphite) and the physics of materials subject to high pressure (phase transitions, equations of state, electronic properties of semiconductors and semiconductor structures, superconductivity). He left ongoing research projects on catalytic chemical vapor CAR
29:2-A
deposited carbon fibers with emphasis on the growth and testing of superior carbon fibers for aerospace technology. Ian’s high pressure expertise is reflected in the book High Pressure Technology (two volumes), (with J. Paauwe, Marcel Dekker, NY, 1977). He also contributed to four book chapters, and an encyclopedia article High Pressure Technology, which was published in the Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (John Wiley and Sons, 1980). He was involved in the research and development of the high pressure diamond anvil cell. Perhaps one of the more unique experiments that Ian was concerned with recently was the first electrical measurement on semiconductors in a liquid environment and in a diamond anvil high pressure cell. He was also involved in development of a miniature cell for low temperature operation. As a world leader in this field he was always being consulted by many laboratories all over the world for his expert advice. His consulting arena included universities, government and industrial laboratories. Ian was truly an internationally known scientist. Prior to his illness he was in Europe on a NATO grant where he was collaborating with research laboratories in France and England. He was in the North American Editor for the C%ntemporary Physics journal. He also consulted for books and iournals for Tavlor and Francis At the t&e of his death Ian had four of London. manuscripts in the publication pipeline and at least a half dozen papers that will be conipieted by his colleagues. His abilitv to show students, both undergraduate and graduate,. the exciting side of research was well recognized. Students and visitors to his laboratory frequently returned for his advice and collaboration. His graduate students will testify to Ian’s ability to produce 6uality results. He was always available th discuss rhe nature of their research and frequently visited the laboratory to see if anyone needed his help. Indeed he never lost the desire to work beside students and visiting scientists in the laboratory. On some occasions when h& expertise was not especially called for, he would joke about feeling neglected. Ian will be remembered by those whom he met and worked with as a leader, teacher, and a friend who was always available even on the end of a telephone. Ian always tried to help financially poor students complete their studies as he was in a similar situation when he was growing up. To the scientific community the death of Professor Ian L. Spain is an immense loss. His expertise and professional attitude towards his research was admirable. His creativity, originality, and excellence in research was exemplary. His enthusiasm and energetic style of life made him quite unique and we salute a man of great stature. Ian leaves behind his sons and widow Elisabeth. a French ladv, who is new to America. Ian felt very proud to be sh&ng his life with Efisabeth after being seemingly reprieved from cancer. The relatively sudden reanneitrance of the cancer which claimed his life in a short p&od is sometimes incomprehensible. The contributions of the Physics department at Colorado State Universes and lan*s family in the preparation of this obituary are gratefully appreciated. 1’ 125
Dinesh Pate1
Carbon Vol. 29, No.?, p. 125, 1991 Printed in Great Briuun
In Memory of Ian L. Spain
Professor Ian L. Spain died on September 5, 1990, at the age of 50 from cancer. Ian was a senior faculty member of the physics department at Colorado State University. Ian was treated for the same illness eighteen months prior to his death and was given a clean bill of health even to the extent that he fell in love and was married three months prior to this sudden recurrence. He had accomplished so much of importance to science and technology and had contributed so much of himself to so many people. During his tenure on the staff of Colorado State University, and before that at the University of Mary1and, Ian made a memorable impression on his students, visitors, professionals, colleagues, and friends. Hardest to accept is the realization that he still had so much to offer to his friends, family, colleagues, and God. A deeply religious man, Ian was also studying theology for the last three years, and this together with his love of science and music led him to a full spectrum of life. He was also a skilled sailor which often took him and his sons back to Maryland or Washington for sailing. Ian was born in Kent, England, on June 19, 1940. He received his B.S. in Physics and A.R.C.S. in 1961, and his Ph.D. with A.R. Ubbelohde at Imperia1 College, University of London, in 1964. In addition to his commitments to science, Ian raised three boys after the death of his first wife Wendy. This year Ian witnessed his eldest son, Anthony, earn a doctorate in Music. His second son, Andrew, graduated with a degree in Political Science in the presence of his father. His youngest son, Russell, now studying at Colorado State Universiry, was married just prior to Ian’s death. In 1988 Ian co-authored a book, Graphite Fibers and Filaments, (with M.S. and G. Dresselhaus, K. Sugihara, and H.A. Goldberg: pub. Springer-Verlag). His area of scientific interest was the Physics of the Condensed Phase. Specifically the physics of Carbons and related materials (electronic properties, mechanical properties, structure-property relationships, highlyoriented pyrolytic graphite, carbon fibers, glassy carbon, intercalation of graphite) and the physics of materials subject to high pressure (phase transitions, equations of state, electronic properties of semiconductors and semiconductor structures, superconductivity). He left ongoing research projects on catalytic chemical vapor CAR
29:2-A
deposited carbon fibers with emphasis on the growth and testing of superior carbon fibers for aerospace technology. Ian’s high pressure expertise is reflected in the book High Pressure Technology (two volumes), (with J. Paauwe, Marcel Dekker, NY, 1977). He also contributed to four book chapters, and an encyclopedia article High Pressure Technology, which was published in the Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology (John Wiley and Sons, 1980). He was involved in the research and development of the high pressure diamond anvil cell. Perhaps one of the more unique experiments that Ian was concerned with recently was the first electrical measurement on semiconductors in a liquid environment and in a diamond anvil high pressure cell. He was also involved in development of a miniature cell for low temperature operation. As a world leader in this field he was always being consulted by many laboratories all over the world for his expert advice. His consulting arena included universities, government and industrial laboratories. Ian was truly an internationally known scientist. Prior to his illness he was in Europe on a NATO grant where he was collaborating with research laboratories in France and England. He was in the North American Editor for the C%ntemporary Physics journal. He also consulted for books and iournals for Tavlor and Francis At the t&e of his death Ian had four of London. manuscripts in the publication pipeline and at least a half dozen papers that will be conipieted by his colleagues. His abilitv to show students, both undergraduate and graduate,. the exciting side of research was well recognized. Students and visitors to his laboratory frequently returned for his advice and collaboration. His graduate students will testify to Ian’s ability to produce 6uality results. He was always available th discuss rhe nature of their research and frequently visited the laboratory to see if anyone needed his help. Indeed he never lost the desire to work beside students and visiting scientists in the laboratory. On some occasions when h& expertise was not especially called for, he would joke about feeling neglected. Ian will be remembered by those whom he met and worked with as a leader, teacher, and a friend who was always available even on the end of a telephone. Ian always tried to help financially poor students complete their studies as he was in a similar situation when he was growing up. To the scientific community the death of Professor Ian L. Spain is an immense loss. His expertise and professional attitude towards his research was admirable. His creativity, originality, and excellence in research was exemplary. His enthusiasm and energetic style of life made him quite unique and we salute a man of great stature. Ian leaves behind his sons and widow Elisabeth. a French ladv, who is new to America. Ian felt very proud to be sh&ng his life with Efisabeth after being seemingly reprieved from cancer. The relatively sudden reanneitrance of the cancer which claimed his life in a short p&od is sometimes incomprehensible. The contributions of the Physics department at Colorado State Universes and lan*s family in the preparation of this obituary are gratefully appreciated. 1’ 125
Dinesh Pate1