Chauncey Starr - Online Memorial Website
Memorial Website - Chauncey Starr
Chauncey Starr
Born in New Jersey
95 years
192486
Life story
April 14, 1912
Born in New Jersey Newark, New Jersey on April 14, 1912.
April 1, 1964
Chauncey Starr Biography
BIRTH DATE AND PLACE: April 14, 1912 Newark, New Jersey
DATE OF DEATH: April 17, 2007
EDUCATION
B.S. - Electrical Engineering (1932), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI)
Ph.D. - Physics (1935), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Research Fellow (1932-1935), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Charles A. Coffin Fellow (1935-1937), Harvard University
AWARDS
1964 Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1973 Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (Foreign Member)
1974 Atomic Energy Commission Award: for Meritorious Contributions to the national atomic energy program
1975 Pender Award: for the Outstanding Research Director of 1975, The University of Pennsylvania
1978 French Legion of Honor: Nominated to rank of officer in recognition of efforts in promoting and furthering understanding between France and the United States in the field of scientific and industrial achievements
1979 Walter H. Zinn Award: by American Nuclear Society for outstanding contributions to the advancement of nuclear power
1980 Founder's Award: by the Seventh Energy Technology Conference in recognition of scientific planning and management talents leading to successful establishment of innovative concept of industry-wide energy technology R&D, the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
1980 Honorary Doctorate of Engineering: by Swiss Federal Institute of Technology
1983 Henry D. Smyth Award: by the Atomic Industrial Forum, Inc. for contribution to nuclear energy
1984 Distinguished Contribution Award: by the Society for Risk Analysis for contributions to risk analysis
1986 Honorary Doctorate of Science: Tulane University
1988 "Tommy" Thompson Award: by the American Nuclear Society for contributions to nuclear reactor safety
1988 Rockwell Medal: by the International Technology Institute for excellence in technology and contributions to the betterment of mankind
1990 United States Energy Award: by the United States Energy Association for long-term contributions to energy and to international understanding
1990 The National Medal of Technology: by then President George H. Bush for contribution to engineering and the electric industry
2000 George E. Pake Prize : by the American Physical Society for visionary leadership and physics contributing to the establishment of a worldwide nuclear power industry for peaceful purposes.
2006 George C. Laurence Pioneering Award: by the American Nuclear Society for outstanding pioneering contributions to nuclear reactor safety
2006 Arthur M. Bueche Award: by the National Academy of Engineering of the National Academies, for leadership in the development of nuclear power, contributions to the creation of the field of risk analysis and leadership in electric power R&D as the founding president of EPRI
PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
1987-Present President Emeritus and Consultant, Electric Power Research Institute Palo Alto, California
1978-1987 Vice Chairman, Electric Power Research Institute
1973-1978 Founder and President, Electric Power Research Institute
1966-1973 Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of California at Los Angeles
1946-1966 North American Rockwell, Incorporated - Vice President,
Atomics International Division - Vice President
1942-1946 Manhattan District, including Radiation Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley, California; Tennessee Eastman Corporation and Clinton Laboratories at Oak Ridge, Tennessee
1941-1942 Bureau of Ships, U.S. Department of the Navy research in electronics devices for study of transients in ship structures
1938-1941 Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Research Associate in properties of materials at low temperatures and the production of liquid hydrogen
1935-1937 Harvard University; Research Fellow engaged in physics of metals at high pressures, with P.W. Bridgman
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Current
- National Academy of Engineering (past Vice President)
- Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering Sciences (Foreign Member)
- American Nuclear Society (Fellow; Founder; past Director and President)
- American Association for Advancement of Science (former Director)
- American Physical Society (Fellow)
- American Society of Engineering Education
- American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
- Society of Sigma Xi
- Tau Beta Pi
- Office of Technology Assessment, Energy Advisory Committee
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, UCLA (Adjunct Professor)
- School of Engineering, Stanford University (Consulting Professor)
- National Council on Radiation Protection & Measurements (Associate Member)
- Society for Risk Analysis, Journal of Risk Analysis Editorial Board
- University of California at Los Angeles, Board of Advisors
Past
- U.S. Government, President's Task Force of Science Policy
- U.S. Government, President's Energy Advisory Committee
- Office of Science and Technology, Science and Technology Panel
- Office of Science and Technology, Sub-Panel on Research and Education
- U.S. Delegation to U.S. / U.S.S.R. Joint Committee on Cooperation on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy
- U.S. National Energy Conference for World Energy (Delegate)
- U.S. / Israel Bi-National Advisory Council for Industrial Research and Development, Energy Subcommittee
- U.S. Air Force Nuclear Panel, Scientific Advisory Board
- U.S. Congress, Board of Advisors to ad hoc Committee on the Environment
- Republic of China, Board of Advisors for Science and Technology
- The Rockefeller University, Rockefeller University Council
- National Academy of Engineering, Committee on Public Engineering Policy (former Chairman)
- National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, Joint Environmental Studies Board
- National Academy of Engineering, Commission on Engineering Education
- National Academy of Engineering, Committee on Career-Long Education for Engineers
- Institute for Defense Analysis (Director)
- International Electric Research Exchange (Principal Representative)
- Atomic Industrial Forum (Director)
- NASA, Research and Technology Advisory Council
- NASA, Committee on Space Power and Electric Propulsion (former Chairman)
- Eta Kappa Nu (Eminent Member)
- Scientific Research Society, Board of Governors (former Chairman)
- Engineers Joint Council, Board of Directors
PATENTS
|
Title
|
Date Issued
|
Patent Number
|
|
Calutron structure
|
7/26/55
|
2,714,166
|
|
Apparatus for producing ions of vaporizable materials
|
11/19/57
|
2,813,979
|
|
Process of impregnating graphite with a uranium compound
|
7/26/60
|
2,946,699
|
|
Nuclear reactor
|
1/8/63
|
3,072,553
|
IMPACT OF ACCOMPLISHMENTS — Selected Significant Accomplishments
Engineering
- Early work on properties of materials, and techniques for measurements at liquid helium temperatures
- Contribution to the basic feasibility and performance of high current ion sources, and their use in large-scale isotope separation
- Development of sodium and polycyclic organics as practical coolants for reactors, which included building prototypes, and applications for satellite power units
- Pioneered the development and uses of Risk Analysis tools applied to large-scale engineering decisions
Management
- Founded Atomics International (Division of North American Rockwell) and two European subsidiaries
- Built up faculty and scope of the engineering program at the University of California at Los Angeles while Dean of Engineering
- Founded and managed the first five years of the Electric Power Research Institute, now the principal vehicle for electric utility industry R&D
- Distinguished service on at least eighteen boards and advisory committees, including service for DOD, DOE, OTA, AEC, NASA, ENC, Republic of China, NCRP, PSAC, OSTP, NAE, NAS and four universities
- Contributed fundamental insights to energy policy decisions involving the integration of resources, technology, and environmental options and constraints
- Contributed to the foundations of risk assessment as a basis for optimal risk management. Regarded as international “guru” in risk analysis
Dr. Starr has been indefatigable in publishing and speaking on a series of related topics and themes. EPRI's files list 280 titles and texts in just the last fifteen years, 66 in the last five years, and a total of over 400 documented papers.
The range of topics covered follow (ranked by frequency):
- Energy Supply, Demand, and Options
- Energy-Related R&D Strategies and Results
- Environmental Effects and Controls
- National Science Policies Related to Energy
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management
- Engineering Education Policies
- Fuels and Waste Disposal
- Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
- Conservation and Effective Utilization of Resources
INTERVIEWS WITH CHAUNCEY
O’Neill, Russel. “Interview with Chauncey Starr, Ph.D.,” - - UCLA, The Regents of the University of California, 2005.
Oehlberg, Lora. “Interview with Chauncey Starr,” - - Ambidextrous Magazine, Inc., 2006.
ADDITIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS
Present: Board of Directors, George C. Marshall Institute
1958-1959: President, the American Nuclear Society
BOOKS
- Starr, C. and Robert Dickinson, Sodium Graphite Reactors; Reading, Mass., Addison-Wesley. 1958.
- Starr, C., Current Issues in Energy: A Selection of Papers. Oxford; News York: Pergamon Press, 1979.
- Starr, C., Science, Technology and the Human Prospect: Proceedings of the Edison Electric Symposium New York: Pergamon Press, 1980.
April 16, 2007
Chauncey Starr's Introductory Remarks at his 95th Birthday Celebration at EPRI
Birthdays are an opportunity for old friends to talk about past activities. Always very informal. The idea of today’s party being a question and answer session wasn’t mine, but we’ll give it a try. You all look so young, including the old-timers, and maybe a fresh interchange will restore my old brain neurons. I’ll give you a thumbnail sketch of who I am, other than someone with a grey beard who moves around with a four-wheel walker.
This is my 95th birthday. The classic comment is “if I knew I’d live this long, I would have taken better care of myself.” It’s too late for that, so I’ll depend on my doctors to apply their magic potions.
First, I’ll introduce my wife Doris. A great 69 year marriage. And my daughter Ariel, who gives us tender loving care.
Most of you know that after 20 years in nuclear power, and six years as Chair of UCLA Engineering, I became the founding President of EPRI, and then its Emeritus. Emeritus is academic language for a has-been. EPRI has been an enjoyable managerial venture for me, spiced by adrenaline surges from frustrations with external realities.
Professionally, I have devoted over 60 years on studying issues of electric power supply: specifically, nuclear power, risk analysis, global climate change, reliability, costs, nuclear weapons’ threats, and related topics. I remain fascinated by each of these challenges to our national energy systems. I follow their history, and I have published on each of them.
I have a basic philosophy that guides my Inside-EPRI advice. It is, “disregard all organization charts.” Charts describe the mental box that executives always encourage you to “think out of.” Of course, if you have the vision to do that, you are beyond your box and are labeled as undisciplined. The countering incentive is that EPRI needs a creativity flow to fulfill its leadership mission. EPRI staff should have a few shared objectives and shared values. My simple guide “disregard all organization charts” is my 95th birthday legacy to EPRI. This is an unconventional lesson that is difficult for R&D managers to learn and practice.
I’m ready for questions. Bob Schainker, take over please.
April 17, 2007
Passed away on April 17, 2007.