Thomas R. Metcalf



The Solar Physics community has lost one of our friends suddenly and unexpectedly. Tom Metcalf was killed in a skiing accident on Saturday 07 July 2007. He was a prolific researcher, also often categorized as "one of the nicest guys in science". Tom was widely respected for his work in the observation, analysis, and interpretation of solar magnetic fields, as well as on solar flare energetics and spectral line diagnostics. A patient mentor, Tom was recently active in a collaboration to establish a new undergraduate summer research program in Boulder, and advised post-docs and graduate students through the years. Tom's life bloomed both personally and professionally upon his recent move to Boulder, Colorado -- he was routinely teased as a "closet granola-head" by friends and family, and traded his long-love of sailing for mountain bike riding, rock climbing, and year-round skiing. He will be sorely missed by many.

MEMORIAL INFORMATION

A service to celebrate Tom's life was held Saturday, July 14th at the NCAR Mesa Lab.

The family is requesting that in lieu of flowers, donations in Tom's memory be made to support activities and causes he was passionate about.

Dr. Metcalf's family has decided to establish a travel grant program with the Solar Physics Division in Tom's honor. The fund will help support members' expenses for attending meetings relevant to solar physics. Preference will be given to graduate students or recent Ph.D. recipients. We encourage you to join the Metcalf family and Tom's friends in making a generous contribution to the American Astronomical Society for the fund: Tom Metcalf SPD Travel Fund, c/o American Astronomical Society, 2000 Florida Ave., NW Suite 400, Washington DC 20009-1231, USA

Donations can also be made to Bicycle Colorado here to reflect Tom's interest in bike commuting. In addition, the family is working with Boulder Open Space to place a bench on a portion of a trail on Tom's behalf.


Research Interests

  • Solar Magnetic Fields
  • Solar and Stellar Flares
  • Coronal Heating
  • Image Reconstruction

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