In Memoriam: Norman Phillips

September 1, 2019

Norman E. Phillips

It is with great sadness that we report the passing of Professor Norman Phillips, distinguished scientist and outstanding mentor and educator. He passed away on July 25th at the age of 90. 

Norm was a native of Detroit, Michigan; earned his bachelor's and master's degrees at the University of British Columbia; and his Ph.D. degree at the University of Chicago in 1954. He joined the Berkeley faculty in the Department of Chemistry in 1955. Norm served as Associate Dean of the Graduate Division from 1966-70 and Dean of the College of Chemistry from 1975-81. He was also a faculty scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and served in various high-level administrative roles. Norm retired in 2001 but remained a central part of the chemistry community. 

Norm's research focused on materials and solid state chemistry. His many contributions are reflected in over 200 publications and numerous awards and honors, including his induction as a Fellow of the American Physical Society and a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.  

He was an esteemed colleague and exemplary scholar. He will be missed.

(Photo of Norm from his John Simon Guggenheim Foundation award, 1963.)