In memoriam: Laird Charles Brodie, 1922-2009 Professor Emeritus Laird C. Brodie, born August 30, 1922, died July 31, 2009, after a long illness. A lifetime Portland resident whose parents were practicing physicians, Prof. Brodie attended local public schools and completed a bachelor’s degree at Reed College (1944). Wartime military training for meteorology assignments (1943-46) included attending designated classes at Harvard, MIT, and the Universities of Washington and Chicago. After completing graduate studies in physics (M.A. 1949, University of Chicago; Ph.D. 1954, Northwestern), he taught at Reed during 1954-55. In 1955 Prof. Brodie joined the physics “section” of the Science Division at the newly formed Portland State College. As a pioneering faculty member, he performed exceptional services under conditions that provided only limited support and resources. His subsequent distinguished teaching and investigative achievements paralleled, indeed provided a vital foundation for, the institution’s emergence as a major urban university that has achieved global recognition for academic excellence. Prof. Brodie demonstrated noteworthy investigative leadership and effectively collaborated with colleagues. His research accomplishments included investigations of heat transfer in helium and cryogenic liquids, for which he received ongoing National Science Foundation grant support that also funded graduate assistantships so desperately needed at a young institution. Research findings generated many journal publications and enabled him to conduct numerous seminars. He inspired many brilliant students who subsequently developed productive scientific careers. As a student, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa at Reed and to the Sigma Xi science honorary society at Northwestern. Playing the French horn in the Portland Junior Symphony from 1937 until his 1943 draft call reflected a lifelong dedication to musical instruments. For many years he performed with the Portland Opera and the Marylhurst College Orchestras. At PSU he developed highly successful and popular courses for studying the physics of music and photography that appealed to students from all disciplines. Active involvement in academic governance included Faculty Senate service and assignments to various departmental and University-wide academic governance committees involved with important curricular development. On several occasions he acted as department head. After a long and distinguished career, he received emeritus status in 1987. Laird and Mary Brodie were longtime members of our organization. They regularly attended local performing arts programs and participated in hiking events scheduled by RAPS, the Unitarian Church, Friends of the Columbia Gorge, and the Mazamas. Survivors include his second wife, Mary Ella Carson Brodie; children from his first marriage: Ann Brodie-Knope, of Portland, and Carol Davis and Walter Brodie, of Seattle; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; brother Alan Brodie, of Chicago; and sister Eleanor Brodie Jones, of Wilsonville. Our organization extends its deepest sympathies to Mary Brodie, our fellow RAPS member, and other family members for their great loss. All of us who knew and worked with Laird will always retain affection for him, remembering his generous, kind personality. The University community is deeply indebted to him for a lifetime of exemplary contributions to our shared intellectual mission. At Laird’s request there will be no memorial service. A small gathering to celebrate his life will be scheduled at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to Portland State University, Reed College, First Unitarian Church, or Planned Parenthood. —Victor C. Dahl, Professor Emeritus of History PORTLAND STATE: A History in Pictures It’s taken three years, but the wait was worth it. Portland State: A History in Pictures, is a handsome, large-format book that documents PSU’s history in more than 300 photos and text spread over 180 pages. AVAILABLE AT: PSU Bookstore University Market in Smith Union Annie Bloom’s Books Oregon Historical Society Powell’s City of Books
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