Memorial to Herb York to Be Held October 9

Pat Jacoby | Oct. 5, 2009

A recent portrait of Herb York.

A memorial tribute to Herb York, founding chancellor of UC San Diego and a world-renowned physicist who died May 19, will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 9 in Mandeville Auditorium. UC San Diego friends and associates are invited to attend.

York was a world-renowned physicist who helped develop the atomic bomb as a young researcher and later championed arms control. A mentor to students and advisor to U.S. presidents, York’s academic and world player roles intertwined in a career spanning more than 60 years. He served as founding chancellor of UC San Diego from 1961 to 1964, and returned as acting chancellor from 1970 to 1972.

Following the second chancellorship, York taught physics and in 1983 founded and directed the UC Institute on Global Conflict and Cooperation (IGCC), which conducts research and seminars on conflict resolution and promotes international efforts to avoid war. In 1989 he became director emeritus.

UC San Diego's founding Chancellor Herbert F. York, right, talked with current UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox in 2004.