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Death notice
Irnee J. D'Haenens
03 February 1934 - 24 December 2007
Hughes Research Laboratories
Malibu, CA
Submitted by Physics Today Editorial Staff
Published on 22 January 2008
Current comments and reminiscences on Irnee J. D'Haenens:
We met Irnee when we were both graduate students at the University of Notre Dame. Since Irnee was more experienced than the rest of us, he was our inspiration. Irnee was an encouraging friend. We send our sincere sympathy to Shirley and his family.
William & Barbara Boeck, Lewiston, NY
One of the most respected and beloved people, I have had the honor of knowing, Dr. Irnee J. DΓ Haenens, passed away on Christmas Eve, 2007. Irnee was a wonderful human being and a brilliant scientist at HRL Laboratories for over 30 years. In additional to his myriad contributions in laser technology, semiconductor physics, microwave technology, spectroscopy and other fields of endeavor, perhaps IrneeΓ s most cherished and memorable time at the Labs occurred when he played a key role on the team along side the late Dr. Ted Maiman in 1960, when the world's first laser (a Ruby laser) was demonstrated at HRL. By many accounts, Irnee was, most likely, the worldΓ s first human being to ever observe laser action in the world. Ironically, Irnee was color‑blind in the red spectral region. Nonetheless, the intense 6943‑Angstrom ruby laser light striking the wall of the lab was visible to him; his color‑blindness essentially attenuated most of the bright flash lamp li!
ght that flooded the room. On the other hand, the presence of the bright flash lamp light, saturated the eyes of his (non‑color‑blind) colleagues, thereby obscuring the laser beam from view in their case! Being a very modest and humble man, he always thanked and gave credit to all his colleagues throughout his distinguished career. Sadly, this year has witnessed the passing of two laser pioneers: Dr. Maiman and Dr. Irnee D'Haenens. And, ironically, it was Irnee who wrote an eloquent obituary in honor of his colleague, Dr. Maiman, appearing on the pages of "Physics Today" (October 2007 issue).
Having known Irnee for over 30 years, he became a huge part of my life and was truly a guiding light for me, both technically and personally. He was one of the most lovely, kind, compassionate and caring human beings that I have had the honor of knowing, for he helped bring purpose and perspective to me on so many levels. I have always looked up to Irnee, in the same vein as a nephew seeking knowledge and wisdom from learned uncle ‑‑‑ always there to encourage and illuminate the way when I encountered life's potholes, and, always there to praise, yet, humble me, through my successes. It was always so special for me to see and chat with him, for the sparkle in his eyes, his smile and his embrace always comforted me. I would always tell him that, in addition to providing me with a wealth of scientific and technical insight through his brilliance, he was akin to my scholarly and spiritual "guru."
At Hughes Research Laboratories (now, HRL Laboratories), I loved to stop by his office and discuss myriad topics with him on science and technology. He would occasionally challenge me on a given topic, in a manner similar to that of a professor. I loved to chat with him about the history of physics, especially how HRL contributed to its evolution in so many areas.
Irnee was, first and foremost, a family man ‑‑‑ which he dearly cherished. This became very evident to me when I recently asked him about the actual date that the Ruby laser was first demonstrated at HRL. Some accounts claimed that this history‑making event occurred on May 15, 1960; other stated that it was on May 16, 1960 (a Sunday and a Monday, respectively). Upon noting of the specific days of the week, Irnee immediately said that it was definitely on a Monday that laser action was first observed. Hence, May 16, 1960 was the special day. When I asked him how he could be so certain, he responded, It definitely wasn' t on a Sunday ‑‑‑ for my weekends were reserved for my family, which has always been, and remains, the most important thing to me. Laser research, in spite of its excitement, would have to wait until Monday. And, come Monday, he was there with his distinguished colleagues to illuminate the world with coherent light from the Malibu laborator!
Dr. David M. Pepper, Malibu, CA
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