Alan B. Grossberg

Alan B. Grossberg, Professor Emeritus, Physics and Engineering, passed away in his sleep at age 78 on Friday, May 27, 2011. He was born to Mary Levi Grossberg and Arthur Sariah Grossberg on May 5, 1933, in Chicago, Illinois.

He is survived by his brother, Milton A. Grossberg, and sister-in-law Phyllis J Grossberg of Los Altos, CA; Milton’s children, Daniel Grossberg of Mechanicsburg, PA, Debra Lee of Garden Valley, CA, Steven Grossberg of Eugene, OR, Diane Love of Mesa, AZ , Rebecca Harvey of Boca Raton, FL; and many additional relatives, friends and admirers.

Alan grew up in the South Shore neighborhood of Chicago, received a B.S. degree from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chemical Engineering, M.S. degrees from Harvard University in Chemical Engineering and Physics, a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin in Physics.

Alan taught physics at various colleges and universities, including Antioch College, the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. He was granted a Fulbright Scholarship and taught physics, in Spanish, at the University of Lima in Peru. Alan was the author of two textbooks, Fortran for Engineering Students, Volumes 1 and 2, plus authorship of various published articles in the American Journal of Physics.

He was the founding chair of the Engineering Science Division at UW-Parkside. He was largely responsible for hiring the faculty and staff of the division in the early '70s. While he served as chair, he coordinated the development of the engineering-related programs. Alan retired in 1993 at which time he was granted emeritus status.

Alan loved all the arts, specifically symphonic music, ballet, theatre, foreign films and regularly traveled to Interlochen to enjoy the summer music programs. He appreciated travel, fine wine and good food.

A private service will be held.

As a proponent of the sciences, Alan has suggested that memorials made to the Racine Community Foundation for the Alan B. Grossberg Scholarship program (for science majors) or to the Hospice Alliance in Pleasant Prairie.

Great appreciation is extended to all the warm and caring staff at Hospice Alliance who made Alan’s final days so comfortable.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine  (262) 634-7888