William C. Martin Jr. *56

William Martin, a distinguished atomic physicist, died of pneumonia Sept. 15, 2013, at the age of 83.

Martin graduated from the University of Richmond in 1951 with a bachelor’s degree in physics. He then earned a master’s degree (1953) and a Ph.D. (1956) in physics from Princeton.

For almost 40 years, he worked at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Md. He was an expert in the spectra and energy levels of rare-earth elements and led the atomic-spectroscopy program. He published more than 65 papers in his field.

Martin received the U.S. Commerce Department’s silver and gold medals for his scientific accomplishments. He was awarded the William V. Astin Measurement Science and Measurement Service awards at the NIST. He also received the William F. Meggers Award of the Optical Society of America. He was a fellow of several scientific societies.

Martin was predeceased by his wife, Dolores, whom he married in 1959. He is survived by two children and one grandchild.

Graduate memorials are prepared by the APGA.