Obituary of David Franklin Hotz

Dr. David Franklin Hotz, 79, died peacefully at his home in Fresno, California on June 13, 2009. Born in Wichita, Kansas, he came to California after serving in the Marine Corps. Dr. Hotz earned his B.A, and Ph.D. in Physics at UC Berkeley, where he and others established the Cal Flying Club. He loved his family and took great delight in his grandchildren. He loved flying.

A nuclear physics researcher and college professor, he worked on the gas laser at the Hughes Research Laboratories in Malibu, Ca. While staff scientist at the Navale Electronics Laboratory in San Diego, CA, Hotz represented the U.S. at the Royal Radar Establishment in England. Dr. Hotz also made contributions to the Strategic Defense Initiative as staff engineer with Lockheed. He served as professor at California State University, Fresno, and Cicese, Baja California.

Dr. Hotz leaves his loving wife of 59 years, Willa Jean Hobbs Hotz, son Evan and daughter‑in‑law Anne, son Dana, daughter Valerie and nine grandchildren. Donations may be made in his memory for Graduate Fellowships, Department of Physics, University of California, 366 LeConte Hall, # 7300, Berkeley, CA, 94720, payable to UC Berkeley Foundation.