Bertram Wolfe ’50

Bert died from ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, Sept. 6, 2004, in Los Gatos, Calif. He was a strong advocate of nuclear power and recognized by his peers as a brilliant physicist.

A graduate of Bronx High School of Science, he entered Princeton following Navy service. Bert was a member of Key and Seal. He majored in physics, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received the Kusaka Prize in physics. As a student, Bert sent his impression of Albert Einstein to his parents, and in 2000, it appeared in Time magazine.

After earning his doctorate in nuclear physics at Cornell, he joined General Electric's new atomic power department, which ultimately moved to San Jose. Following his retirement in 1992 as vice president and general manager of GE's Nuclear Energy Department, he served on several industry and university academic boards.

Awarded numerous industrial honors, he was president of the American Nuclear Society and a National Academy of Engineering fellow. An avid tennis player at Princeton and afterward, he gave up the game as his disease progressed but persisted in playing golf almost to the end of his life. He enjoyed his friendships and spending time with his family.

We extend condolences to Lee, Bert's wife of 54 years; his children, Sarah, Donald, and William; and four grandchildren.

The Class of 1950