for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
Feb.
23, 2001
|
David J. Van Blerkom, longtime professor of Astronomy, dies at 58 by Sarah R. Buchholz, Chronicle staff
 avid
J. Van Blerkom, 58, of Amherst, a professor of Astronomy, died Feb.
16 at Bay State Medical Center.He had served the University since 1969, when he was hired as a research associate and lecturer. He was an assistant professor from 1970 to 1973 and an associate professor from 1973 to 1984, and he had been a full professor since 1984. Between 1980 and 1997, he chaired the Department of Astronomy. He received a Distinguished Teaching Award in 1996 and an Honors Appreciation Award from the Honors Program in 1998. He also had been a member of the Faculty Senate since 1999 and was a member of the Faculty and Friends Network at the Center for Counseling and Academic Development. He received a B.S. with honors from City College in New York in 1963 and a Ph.D. in physics from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1969. Also knowledgeable about ancient civilizations, he taught honors courses in Egyptian hieroglyphics. And he was on the board of directors of the Pioneer Valley Symphony for several years. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Janet Kay Van Blerkom; two sons, Daniel and David; a daughter, Suzanne Dawid; and a brother, Jonathan. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. David J. Van Blerkom Scholarship Fund, c/o John Vassallo, Easthampton Savings Bank, 100 East St., Hadley 01035. |
