"Arthur Kantrowitz was a remarkable scientist and engineer whose accomplishments covered a wide range of topics, ranging from laser propulsion, the behavior of hot gases or plasmas, the development of the first protective coating for the nose cones of rockets and space vehicles, the development of the first heart-assist pump and many others," engineering professor Francis Kennedy wrote in an e-mail to The Dartmouth.
Kantrowitz received his Ph.D from Columbia University and went on to teach at Cornell University. He became a member of the Thayer faculty in 1978.
Before coming to Dartmouth, Kantrowitz founded and directed the Avco Everett Research Laboratory in Massachusetts. He also served on the Advisory Group on Anticipated Advances in Science and Technology in President Gerald Ford's administration, according to The New York Times.
Kantrowitz was modest about his achievements and willing to share credit with other scientists who built on his work, Kennedy said.
"Although many of his accomplishments are well-known, he also made other inventions and discoveries that weren't widely known," Kennedy wrote in the e-mail.
Kennedy described an incident about 20 years ago when he was researching face seals, which prevent the flow of fluid between rotating surfaces that are in contact with one another. Kantrowitz gave Kennedy a paper he had written in the 1960's describing a new way to increase the seal's effectiveness.
Although the paper presented ideas that were not considered by scientists until late 1980's and early 1990's, Kennedy said Kantrowitz did not "push" the fact that his work had been overlooked.
"That is an indication of how he wasn't out for glory for his accomplishments, Kennedy said. "Needless to say, despite this characteristic, his large amount of significant accomplishments did garner many honors and awards."
Kantrowitz was a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, American Physical Society, American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Astronautical Society and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Also a member of the National Academy of Sciences and National Academy of Engineering, he received Fulbright and Guggenheim fellowships and was given the Roosevelt Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service in Science, according to the Thayer web site.
Kantrowitz cared deeply about a concept called "Science Court," according to Thayer Dean Emeritus Charles Edgar Hutchinson.
The "court" was a forum for scientific professionals to consider controversial scientific issues and advise policymakers in an unbiased fashion.
He remained committed to this idea for nearly 30 years, according to Kennedy.
"One of the things that impressed me most about [Kantrowitz] was his active mind and curiosity about everything, even though he was in his 90's when I first met him," Thayer Dean and engineering professor Joseph Helble wrote in an e-mail to The Dartmouth. "I did not know him well, but had a memorable lunch with him about three years ago that ended with discussion of ideas for an artificial intelligence grant proposal he was thinking of writing -- at age 93. He also remained passionate about the need for better scientific input to the legal and political system."
Kantrowitz maintained a high level of scientific engagement throughout his life, Kennedy said.
"I was impressed not only by his many accomplishments, but also for his wide-ranging interest in both scientific and non-scientific topics," Kennedy wrote. "He was a regular attendee at Thayer School's weekly seminar series and always had an interesting comment or question about the seminar, no matter what the topic."
Kantrowitz is survived by his wife, Lee Stuart of Hanover, three daughters and six grandchildren.
