Philip Joel Greenberg

Philip Joel Greenberg Ph.D

On December 26^th, 2015, Dr. Philip Greenberg passed away after a valiant effort to defeat cancer. He was born in the Bronx, New York to loving parents, Gertrude Schechter Greenberg and Harry Greenberg. An only child, he showed a deep interest in science at an early age. Philip attended DeWitt Clinton High School in New York City, receiving upon graduation the Rensselaer Medal for Science and Mathematics (1959) and later, the school’s Distinguished Alumni Award (2002). He graduated from Stevens Institute of Technology (NJ) with High Honors (1963) and spoke with pride about the quality education received in both places. He received an MS in Physics (Stanford University, 1964) followed by a PhD in Astrophysics (University of Chicago, 1970) under the supervision of Nobel Prize recipient, Dr. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar. His dissertation focused on magneto-hydrodynamics in general relativity. A theoretical physicist and mathematical astronomer, he published on relativistic hydrodynamics in the Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications and The Astrophysical Journal.

Philip did post-doctoral work at the University of Alberta Theoretical Physics Institute (1973-1975). He taught at Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he continued his research in relativistic physics, applied mathematics to astronomical problems and conducted studies on Lorentz-transformation properties of relativistic gravitational fields. He also taught Monmouth College (NJ) and Roosevelt University (Chicago). He worked at the Atmospheric and Environmental Research Institute in Cambridge, MA and at Bell Laboratories/AT&T (NJ). He also shared his science expertise with the general public at the Cambridge Center for Adult Education.

One of his best papers, as he claimed, was on space-like congruences titled: “The General Theory of Space-Like Congruences with an Application to Vorticity in Relativistic Hydrodynamics”, (Journal of Mathematical Analysis and Applications, Vol. 30, No. 1, April 1970 128-143), published when he was a graduate student at the University of Chicago. In this paper, Dr. Greenberg introduced a new transport law applied in relativity.

His published papers at MIT found in the Studies in Applied Mathematics (formerly the Journal of Mathematics and Physics), include:

• “The Algebra of the Riemann Curvature Tensor in General Relativity: Preliminaries”, (Vol. LI, No. 4, September 1972, 277-308) (Potentially applicable to future long-distance space travel)

• “The Algebra of the Riemann Curvature Tensor in General Relativity: The Relation of the Invariants of the Einstein Curvature Tensor to the Invariants Describing Matter”, (Vol. LI, No. 4, December 1972, 369-376)

• (With James P. Knauer) “On a Lorentz Transformation Suitable for Local Problems in General Relativity”, (Vol. LIII, No. 2, June 1974, 165-183) (The Essence of Special Relativity). (Null-Tetrad Formalism). (Six parameters).

• “A Note on a Theorem of Szekeres”, (Vol. LI, No. 4, December 192, 415)

As an independent scholar upon returning to Chicago, he formed a consulting agency, Atoms to Stars, to tutor students in science. Ahead of his time, he followed a unique path for a scientist, pursuing organizational management coursework at Carnegie Mellon University and completing a marketing/economics focused MBA at Boston University. He continued lifelong to write, conduct independent research, and tutor many students individually, conveying his love of physics and mathematics to the next generation. In recent years, he wrote for The Bridgeport News in Chicago, distilling his wisdom into pithy aphorisms.

“A man that cares and helps another person to find his way in life, is a sincere man” –Dr. Phil

Dr. Greenberg was particularly interested in mentoring and guiding young individuals, especially those interested in pursuing physics, he would personally get involved and introduce them to professionals he knew who could be helpful, and informed them about their options and guided them towards making the most effective and wise decisions. He would accompany young individuals to physics and astronomy colloquiums at the University of Chicago and Northwestern and even escorted one to the University of Chicago to introduce her to one of the professors at that university to pursue her education and career in astronomy.

Dr. Philip Greenberg devoted his life to physics despite the harsh poverty and adversities he faced and often stated it was a great privilege to be a physicist, he did what he enjoyed doing most of his life and had no regrets in doing so.

We invite individuals who are interested in his work or individuals with previous contact with Dr. Greenberg to send comments and/or memories to the following email address: PhilipGreenbergmemorial@gmail.com . We appreciate your efforts towards assisting us in preserving and preparing a volume on his scientific legacy.

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