The Pierre Auger Collaboration sadly shares the news that James W. Cronin, Professor Emeritus at the University of Chicago and spokesperson emeritus of Auger died on 25 August, at the age of 84.
Born in Chicago, Illinois, on 29 September 1931, graduated with a PhD in physics in 1955, James Cronin shared the 1980 Nobel Prize for Physics with Val Fitch for their 1964 discovery that decaying subatomic particles called K mesons violate a fundamental principle in physics known as "CP symmetry."
After his prizewinning work, he eventually turned his research to cosmic rays and he was a founding father of the Pierre Auger Observatory, the world's largest cosmic-ray detector, which he conceptualized in 1992 with fellow physicist from the University of Leeds Alan Watson.
In his Nobel biographical statement, he emphasized the importance of his family to his career. “On even the worst days, when nothing was working at the lab, I knew that at home I would find warmth, peace, companionship, and encouragement. As a consequence, the next day would surely be better.”
Our thoughts and deepest sympathy go to his family, his wife, children and grandchildren.
The University of Chicago invites colleagues to honor the life of Professor James Cronin and share with his family, friends, and colleagues memories of his great accomplishments. A Science Symposium will take place on the afternoon of Friday September 30th followed by a Memorial on the morning of October 1st ending with a luncheon.
Picture: James W. Cronin (University of Chicago)
If you are interested please contact Angela V. Olinto (http://astro.uchicago.edu/people/angela-v-olinto.php).
The scientific world is less today than it was yesterday. And we have all See Picture
I'm so sorry to hear this news. As you know, to a very large extent, I
We at Penn State are reeling from the shocking news. Jim was an
We have all lost an exceptional physicist, a wise leader and good friend. Read More
This is very sad news. Jim was a fearless scientist, and visionary who
This feels like a chapter of physics ending, and is very poignant
This is so very sad news.
With great sadness we heard about the passing away of Jim Cronin.
This is a very sad news.
It is with deep sorrow that I read the message.
With great sadness we read the news. With Jim we have met an
We are all very sad to hear that Jim passed away. It is difficult to Read More
We are very sad about the passing of Jim. Our sincere condolences to
We all have read the news with deep sadness. Jim was a visionary
These are so sad news.
We are deeply sorry for the death of Prof. Cronin. From the colleagues
I met Prof. Cronin during several conferences and collaboration
Many here in Chicago – including Angela and I – worked closely with
I am shocked to see these bad news after coming back from a few days
Jim, came many times to Brazil and delivered many talks to big Read More
We are all very sorry to hear this sad news.
In the Bariloche group we are all very sad for this news. We will
Professor James W. Cronin (Jim Cronin), was the person that invited
It was such a privilege to have met and worked with Jim. His record
James Matthews
Louisiana State University, USA
lost a very good friend.
Attached picture is from the 1991 Dublin ICRC. This was close to the "birth"
of Auger, when Jim was first connecting with Alan [Watson]. The picture
is of the CASA-MIA group in attendance. I recall that when we got together,
instead of going over our talks, Jim chatted with us about 1020 eV
cosmic rays!
Picture: From left to right,
Back Row: Dave Nitz, Jack van der Velde, Jim Matthews, Jim Cronin, Hans
Krimm, Corbin Covault;
Front Row: Brian Fick, Kevin Green, Tim McKay, Rene Ong, Alex Borione
at the Trinity College, Dublin Ireland, August 1991, for the 22nd
International Cosmic Ray Conference.
David Nitz
Michigan Technological University, USA
owe my professional career to Jim. He has always been a kind friend and
benefactor to me, starting from the early days of CASA-MIA. I fondly
remember the times I accompanied JIm on some trips in the early days to
sell Auger. The one to Bariloche in October, 1995, on occasion of the
Argentine Physical Society meeting, where I met Louis Masperi, Alberto
Etchegoyen, and Ron Shellard especially stands out.
Stephane Coutu
Pennsylvania State University, USA
astounding physicist, preeminent but always approachable, just an
all-around wonderful human being. We all owe him a great debt of
gratitude. Our thoughts are with all who were closest to him.
Paul Mantsch
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, USA
It was a great privilege and honor to work with Jim Cronin on the Pierre
Auger Observatory. What follows are some of my recollections of the
tevents hat, under Jim’s inspired leadership, led to the construction
and operation the world’s largest cosmic ray observatory.
Lawrence Wiencke, Fred Sarazin
for the Colorado School of Mines, USA
inspired many of us. As David Nitz noted, Jim made a real difference in
opening opportunities many of scientists in their careers. I'm another
of the many who owe a lot to Jim, over decades at this point.
Jim was inspiring in may ways. For example, he holds the distinction of
having been awarded an (honorary) doctorate from Mines years before any
doctorates for astrophysics research were awarded.
This is a somber day for me and Fred and the Mines group.
Glennys Farrar
New York University, USA
professionally. Its hard to imagine today -- Christenson, Cronin, Fitch
and Turlay 1964: four people "accidentally" discover CP violation! Yet,
to Jim's and Alan's huge credit, they recognized that some problems
require big collective efforts and together they had the courage to
create Auger and pioneer a new paradigm of such effort, putting UHECR
research onto a totally new footing. Jim’s conviction that comparably
deep and unexpected discoveries may await us in UHECRs as for kaons,
should be an inspiration for AugerPrime — now pushed forward by an
upcoming generation of young (joined by not-so-young, but equally
committed) physicists.
I feel blessed personally to have known Jim. He was a giant among
experimentalists: what an incisive mind and with such a sense of
elegance! It forced theorists to appreciate him, in spite of his
professed distain for theory ;-) !
Tony* [Glennys' husband] joins me in sending condolences to
Jim’s wife and children for this painful loss.
*I don’t know whether I ever mentioned it, but Jim was one of Tony’s
professors as an undergrad at U. Chicago; Jim urged him to stay at U.
Chicago and become an experimentalist — advice that Tony came to fully
appreciate only much later, after having chosen instead to go to Caltech
and get a Ph. D. with Gell-Mann.
Carola Dobrigkeit
for the Brazilian Auger Collaboration
Probably we are not able to value correctly the dimension of Jim's
contributions to Physics, particularly to the conception, construction
and operation of the Auger Observatory.
He visited Brazil many times, always giving seminars, talks, and
lectures. He was always engaged in getting support for his ideas. His
enthusiasm touched so many of us and inspired us to join the collaboration.
His presence in our meetings in Malargüe contributed to create an
atmosphere of excellence in research that will remain long after the
goals of the Observatory have been fulfilled.
We send sincere condolences from all Brazilian friends and collaborators
to Jim's family.
The Brazilian Auger Collaboration -
Carola Dobrigkeit, Ronald Shellard, Carlos Escobar, José Augusto
Chinellato, Vitor de Souza, Anderson Fauth, Ernesto Kemp, Edivaldo
Santos, Ernesto Kemp, João Torres, Marcelo Leigui, Rogerio Menezes,
Carla Bonifazi, Ivone Albuquerque, Philippe Gouffon, Carlos Todero,
Germano Guedes, Rita dos Anjos, Iuri Pepe.
Sijbrand de Jong
for the Dutch Auger Collaboration
But also with gratitude for the paramount role Jim played in
establishing the Pierre Auger Observatory. And with affection we
remember Jim's kind and gentle personality combined with his sharpness
and precision on the physics.
The Dutch Auger group -
Ad van den Berg, Stijn Buitink, Heino Falcke, Joerg Hoerandel, Sijbrand
de Jong, Olaf Scholten and Charles Timmermans.
Iliana Brancus
for the Romanian Auger Collaboration
Jim Cronin had the vision and the force to put the international
community in collaboration to make alive Auger Observatory. He
encouraged Romania to participate in such complex unique experiment.
We remember him as a kind person and an excellent scientist.
Henryk Wilczynski
for the Polish Auger Collaboration
Jim was an extraordinary scientist, leader and friend. We owe him a lot.
I think we all are very grateful to Jim for the great scientific adventure
we are involved in. The Pierre Auger Observatory will remain a
monument to his visionary leadership, scientific ingenuity and
persistence.
We will miss him very much.
Thomas Hebbeker, Martin Erdmann
for RWTH Aachen University, Germany
outstanding scientist with major influence on particle and
astroparticle physics - connected to his way of actively contributing
at all levels and his charisma. With all physics achievments Jim was
approachable for everyone, it was pleasant to talk to him - he took
seriously every person from the youngest to the oldest.
Corinne Berat
for the French Auger Collaboration
add to the nice words of everyone. Jim was indeed the father of our
project but he was much more than that, such an inspiring example,
so bright and enthusiastic, dedicated and convincing, but at the
same time human and kind with everyone. Although this would have
hurt his legendary modesty, we owe him so much.
We French colleagues would also like to recall the friendly link that
Jim had with France, his frequent visits to Paris and his crucial role,
together with his very close friend Murat Boratav, in fostering a
French participation.
Jim, Murat, Gianni, we indeed feel orphan, but with an immense human
and intellectual heritage to keep alive. We will remember one of Jim's
favourite sentences : "You just have to look to the data", that was
saying everything.
Our sincere condolences to the family.
Markus Risse, Peter Buchholz
for the Universität Siegen, Germany
his family and close friends.
We all owe Jim a lot, as very well described in the "Festschrift"
Alan circulated just recently about the genesis of the Auger Observatory.
It was a great privilege to work together with him.
Jim dedicated his 2003 TAUP report to the memory of John Linsley,
writing: "I only wish that he could witness the progress that is going
to be made. I cannot avoid the fantasy that he is now in a position to
know all the answers!"
Jim is leaving many good tracks, both in science and in our hearts.
May he rest in peace.
Ralph Engel
for the KIT, Germany
leader, excellent scientist, a humble person, and dear friend to many
us. And as all of us know, he was not only a very sharp thinker but
also working extremely hard. Even frequent travel and time shifts
could not reduce his enthusiasm and his charisma. It is very hard
loosing such a special person, not only from the perspective of the
Pierre Auger Project.
We will always remember Jim as an absolutely outstanding scientist
and person, and will continue following his vision on UHECR science.
We express our condolences to his family and close friends.
Lorenzo Cazon
LIP, Portugal
It was an honour to have known Jim and worked with him in Chicago
as a post-doc. It was so easy to approach him and discuss anything,
despite he was order of magnitudes above you. I specially remember
him encouraging the young people to achieve the best, and to dare.
He will always be an inspiration.
My deepest sympathies to you, his friends and family.
Sendic Estrada Jiménez
for the Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, México
in Chiapas we know he has always supported the participation of the
Mexican cosmic ray community in the Pierre Auger Observatory and
encouraged the development of science in Latinamerica.
We transmit to Prof. Cronin’s family our sincere condolences.
In the name of the Chiapas Auger group (Arnulfo, Karen, Itzel, Pedro
and Hernán).
Karen Salome Caballero Mora
Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, México
meetings and I was very glad to hear his opinion on the work we were
doing on mass composition in a time when the topic started to reveal
very new and unexpected results. He was very excited and happy about
our efforts. I remember him very bright, listening to most of the
meeting's talks and dancing during the dinners in Malargüe.
We will miss him a lot.
Paolo Privitera
University of Chicago, USA
Jim and had the privilege of his friendship. Jim was a "magister" of
science and life, of a disarming modesty that pertains only to the
greatest souls.
I will deeply miss his humanity and his tender affection for my family.
Guenter Sigl
Universität Hamburg, Germany
without internet.
I still vividly remember my great time as a postdoc at Chicago when
from time to time I would just spontaneously walk up to Jim's office
to discuss cosmic rays with him. It struck me that he always took the
time to talk although he surely had more important things to do than
ground the sometimes rather crazy speculations of a theorist.
He will sorely be missed.
Ronald Shellard
Centro Brasileiro de Pesquisas Fisicas (CBPF), Brazil
audiences. It was always a success, even when the audience came from
other areas of science.
An image that is always associated to Jim is his habit of rubbing his
long fingers when explaining something, as if he was immersed in a dream.
His inspiration, for us Brazilians, was essential for a strong
participation on the construction and operation of the Pierre Auger
Observatory, which we are very proud of.
He will be missed by all of us, who were already longing from his
presence in the Auger meetings in Malargue.
Tiina Suomijärvi
IPN-Orsay, France
Jim interacted with everybody in the Auger observatory. He knew by
name most of the collaborators, students and staff members. I
remember how honored and pleased the observatory technicians were
when Jim went to the field to work with them and then joined their
families in the evening for dinner. For Jim, the contribution of
everybody was important and he knew all the details of instruments,
data analysis and Physics.
Jim Cronin will remain in our memories as not only an extraordinary
scientist but also a kind and caring person.
Sincere condolences to Jim’s wife and family.
Ingo Allekotte
for the Centro Atómico Bariloche, Argentina
always remember Jim, not only as a scientist who made fundamental
contributions to physics, but also as a wonderful person who shaped
this beautiful international endeavour which is the Auger
Collaboration. We send to his family and close friends our condolences,
and our everlasting thankfulness to Jim.
Diego, Silvia, Xavier, Esteban, Mariano, Hernan, Geraldina, Ingo
Arnulfo Zepeda
Universidad Autónoma de Chiapas, México
Mexico to join the Pierre Auger Project.
From this invitation the first national involvement of Mexico in a
international project was born. Jim honored further Mexico by
accepting the honorary membership (member correspondent) of the
Mexican Academy of Sciences.
The contributions of Jim, to the development of cosmic ray physics,
to the establishment of the first international collaboration at a
global level, to the design of physics courses in experimental
physics, and to the establishment of the fundamental laws of
physics that distinguish matter from antimatter, for which he
received the Nobel Prize, are highly valued by all of as who had
the opportunity of interacting closely with Jim, as well as by many
who had the chance of attending his lectures, public talks, his
participation in the Science Auger fair and in many other aspects of
live, education and science.
Mexico was highly benefited from his friendly and dedicated attention.
Paul Clark
Leeds University, UK
of life achievment is of course stellar but he was just such a nice
guy to know too. Looking back now, it was obvious that Auger would
succeed right? No, not true at all, it required the sustained belief
and commitment of many teams of hardworking bright people from all
round the world to achieve the reality. And what was it that set
these teams of bright people on the path? It was the vision, passion
and belief of Jim and Alan that drew together the unique collaboration
that built Auger and went and got the data. We all shared that dream
together, and what a rare opportunity it was too. We have all lost a
father and friend today, but what a legacy he left us.
