It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of Ray Radebaugh. Ray was a pioneer, mentor, and friend whose influence on cryogenics spanned more than five decades and touched nearly every corner of our field.
Ray’s passion for engineering began early. Growing up in Mishawaka, Indiana, he learned to operate machine tools in his parents’ forge and shop and was building model engines as a teenager. In high school, he constructed a working air liquefier for a science fair project, an achievement that foreshadowed a lifetime of innovation. His career at NBS and NIST’s Cryogenic Engineering Laboratory in Boulder began in 1966 and helped define modern cryocooler technology. From foundational work on dilution refrigerators and 4 K cryocoolers to advancing modeling, materials data, and practical systems for quantum and space applications, Ray’s technical contributions set standards that researchers still build upon today.
Equally important was Ray’s dedication to the cryogenic community. He was instrumental in the early International Cryocooler Conferences, served in leadership roles with the Cryogenic Engineering Conference, led CSA’s Foundations of Cryocoolers workshops, and contributed his insight as a member of the Cold Facts Editorial Board. Even after retirement, he remained an active collaborator, consultant, and teacher, always generous with his time and knowledge. Many of us were fortunate to learn directly from Ray, not only about cryocoolers but about curiosity, rigor, and the joy of solving hard problems.
Ray leaves behind a legacy of scientific excellence and a global community strengthened by his mentorship and leadership. He will be deeply missed. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, colleagues, and the many friends whose lives he enriched.
CSA will publish tributes to Ray Radebaugh in Cold Facts issue No. 2. We invite you to send your memories, thoughts and photos to contribute to this memorial. Please send to editor@cryogenicsociety.org by March 20th.
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