The following are tributes to Dr. Ray Radebaugh, who recently retired after 43 years of service to NIST. Dr. Radebaugh received the Vance Award from CSA some time ago, and has been tireless and outstanding as instructor of CSA’s Cryocoolers course across the country. His Cold Facts column, “Cryo Frontiers,” is excellent and contributes to the quality of Cold Facts every issue. Always willing and cooperative, Ray Radebaugh has been an invaluable member of CSA.
Make sure to check out the photo gallery of Ray’s “Roast and Toast” retirement luncheon.
From Laurie Huget
Executive Director, Cryogenic Society of America
“On behalf of his colleagues in the Cryogenic Society of America, I send congratulations to Ray Radebaugh on his retirement from NIST. He is a leading light internationally in his profession and we consider him “Mr. Cryocooler.”
“Without fanfare and in his low-key way, Ray has gained an international reputation for expertise in his field. He has consulted all over the world, has attended and presented papers as well as being invited speaker and session chair, also working behind the scenes at a long list of international conferences and workshops. He has been presenting an exceptionally popular Short Course for many years, most recently for CSA. And he got to ride on the Japanese Maglev train, which to me was a top honor that I really envy!
“CSA has honored Ray, a lifetime CSA member, with the Robert Vance Award for his service to our Society, and he has many others, with the icing on the cake being the upcoming Collins Award at CEC–the highest honor in the cryogenics field! All of these were highly deserved.
“Ray is always willing to answer questions, both easy and tough, and has been a wonderful resource for us at CSA. His Cold Facts column, “Cryo Frontiers,” is highly popular, only recently receiving high praise from a reader for its lucidity. He has helped countless fellow cryogenists in so many ways, including mentoring those he welcomed on sabbatical at NIST, many of whom I know and all of whom revere Ray for all he has taught them.
“Observing Ray teach his Cryocoolers class was a revelation to me. He truly and sincerely enjoys answering the questions he gets. It’s obvious he delights in sharing information and explaining things. It’s truly impressive to watch him at work.
“We will have to wait until this summer in Tucson to toast you in person, Ray, but for now, here’s to you and all you have achieved. Congratulations and much joy in the ongoing years of your life, as you enjoy some time to savor married life!
-Laurie Huget and your friends and admirers at the Cryogenic Society of America.”
From Prof. Gershon Grossman of
Technion- Israel Institute of Technology
“Ray and Esteemed Colleagues,
“I am truly sorry for not being able to be with you at this important celebration. The memory of the Cryogenic Technologies Group picnics lives in my mind. However, there are only 6807 miles separating me from Boulder at this time. I would like to share a few memories with you.
“I started to work in the field of cryogenics only a few years ago, having spent my entire career working on cooling (to moderate temperatures) and air conditioning. It didn’t take long to realize that I needed HELP! And help came from Ray in a marvelous way.
“I first met Ray at the 2003 CEC/ICMC in Alaska and realized he was a treasure of knowledge. The following year, in New Orleans, I attended his short course on Foundations of Cryocoolers. Then, over lunch at the French Quarter, I picked his brain and asked him endless questions I had on my mind, such as: what are important theses topics for students? A year later, Ray kindly invited me to spend three months working at NIST, and in 2007 I came again for a six-months sabbatical. It has all been a rewarding learning experience. It was also a pleasure to meet Ray’s Group – Peter, Mike, Abbie, John and Jackie, and the greater group at the Thermophysical Properties Division.
“Ray – I wish you all the happiness in the world in your “retired” life. Knowing you, I have a feeling you will not stay away from the Lab for long….
-Gershon
From Prof. John Pfotenhauer
University of Wisconsin
“Please convey my most sincere congratulations to Ray! What an incredible resource he has been for NIST, CSA, the CECs, and the cryogenics community around the world. His enthusiasm and curiosity about low temperature technology and science has been extremely contagious, and even though he is so gifted in so many aspects as a scientist, the most delightful aspect of working with Ray is his complete lack of any ego-clutter. (of course we won’t talk about office clutter).
“There are many types of retirements, with some folks completely disappearing from work while others change their habits very little. I suspect, due to Ray’s keen interest and enthusiasm for what he has been doing for the past 43 years, he will tend to be in the latter category. I for one certainly hope that is true. On the other hand, he does have his lovely new wife …. Whatever his future directions, I wish him all the best, and hope to run into him many more times to come.
“Best wishes,
-John Pfotenhauer
