Our deepest sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Emeritus Professor Hershel Hausman who died August 5 at his home in Florida.  The family has provided the following obituary describing his life and career.

Hershel J. Hausman, Ph.D., passed away on August 5, 2015, in West Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 91.  Hersh was born on August 19, 1923 to David and Sophie Hausman in Pittsburgh, PA.  In 1942, at 18, Hersh enlisted in the Army Air Corp. and as a 1^st Lieutenant in the 8^th Air Force Bomber Group based in England, successfully piloted his “Buffalo Gal” B-24 bomber on 22 missions over the European Continent.  On September 22, 1945, Hersh was honorably discharged from the service with numerous medals and citations.

Upon his return to Pittsburgh after the war, Hersh attended Carnegie Mellon University where he received his B.S. and Master’s degree in Nuclear Physics, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh.  Hersh joined the faculty of The Ohio State University in 1952 and for the next decade, oversaw the operation of the Cyclotron Laboratory, a mini-particle accelerator.  From 1962 until his retirement in 1989, Hersh taught courses in Nuclear Physics and mentored more than 20 Ph.D. students.  During that time his research focus as supervisor of the Van de Graaff Laboratory was nuclear scattering, nuclear reaction mechanisms and nuclear capture reactions.  That he was held in high regard by his students is evidenced by the dedication of a room in his honor in the new Physics Building (2008) by his former student, Dr. Norm Gearhart and wife, Carolyn.  Hersh was a member of the American Association of University Professors, the American Institute of Physics, Sigma Pi Sigma, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  In addition to his academic interests, Hersh was an avid OSU sports fan, attending the home football games of the Buckeyes for decades.  He proudly served as a member of the OSU athletic counsel from 1983 to 1987. 

Hersh was also a former member of Congregation Tifereth Israel in Columbus, OH.  He is survived by Korene, his loving wife of 71 years, three children, Herb, Sally (Eli), Will (Kate), sister Evelyn Morris, sister-in-law Rosalyn Stein and four grandchildren David, Alyse, Julianna and Matthew, as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his younger brother Jack Hausman and older sister Reva Rolnick.

Contributions in Dr. Hausman’s honor may be sent to Hospice of Palm Beach County or the charity of your choice.