Former chair of physics and astronomy dies

Morton Kaplon, groundbreaking physicist and teacher, died July 4. He was 81.

Kaplon '51 (PhD), chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy from 1964 to 1969, was internationally known for his discoveries in cosmic radiation, elementary particles, and ultra-high energy interactions.

While still a graduate student, he codiscovered the "R-Star" (Rochester Star), which provided the first clear evidence of the production of a large number of mesons in nuclear collisions at the top of the earth's atmosphere. Kaplon went on to make the first measurement of the life of a neutral meson, which was the shortest of any elementary nuclear particle observed at the time.

As a teacher, Kaplon helped shape the minds of many promising students, including Masatoshi Koshiba, who was recently awarded the Wolf Prize for "achievements in the interest of mankind," and has since been nominated for the Nobel Prize as well.

Kaplon died near his home in Bethlehem, Pa. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anita Kaplon; son, Keith, of New York City; daughters, Bryna and Drea, of New Jersey.

Contributions are being accepted at Kaplon's favorite charity, the Salvation Army.

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