IN MEMORIAM

Don Backer, Director of the RAL, dies at 66

Our deepest sympathies go out to Don's family, friends and colleagues.

Donald C. Backer, appointed as a research astronomer in 1975 and a professor in the UC Berkeley Astronomy Department since 1989, previous department Chair, and current Director of the Radio Astronomy Laboratory (RAL), died on July 25, 2010 at the age of 66. His research focused on Pulsars, high-energy astrophysics, epoch of reionization, and instrumentation. He will be remembered not only for his valuable research accomplishments, but also for his relentless energy and deep passion for science.