Obituary of John Lundberg (1924-2011)

John became a member of the technical staff of Bell Telephone Laboratories after earning a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of California. At Bell Labs he did research on polymers and published numerous articles on polymer chemistry, physics and engineering. During this time he also was an adjunct professor at the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn. His teaching career continued at Clemson University where he served as chairman of the Textile Department. He moved on to Georgia Tech as the Callaway Professor of Textile Engineering and retired as professor emeritus in 1991. Polymer chemistry and light scattering were his major fields of interest and he was internationally known as an innovative leader in these disciplines. Atlanta Magazine recognized John as ‘One of Atlanta’s Best and Brightest,’ describing his research on gaseous solutions of polymers such as nylon, and light scattering by fibers and solutions such as silicon and butane gas. Membership in nine scientific societies kept him busy in various leadership capacities as well as the lecture circuit. The American Chemical Society recently honored him as a 60-year member. He was a past-president of the Fiber Society, a Life Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and a Fellow of the American Physical Society.

John Lauren Lundberg of Alpharetta, GA, died September 2, 2011 at home at age 86. He was born on October 8, 1924 in St. Paul, MN, the son of Karl John and Laura Carlson Lundberg. After graduating from high school, he served for two years in the U.S. Army Air Force as a navigator, completing 35 missions over Germany and earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. John is survived by his wife Barbara and by his family: son Tom and his wife Teresa of Sevierville, TN; daughter Kris and her husband David Thornsberry of Alpharetta; son Karl and his wife Juliana of Edmonds, WA; and daughter Kate and her husband Richard Quillian of Alpharetta and seven grandchildren.