Obituary of Fred E. Luborsky

FRED E.LUBORSKY 1923-2010 Fred E. Luborsky, age 86 of Niskayuna, NY died on Wednesday evening February 3, 2010 at the Baptist Health and Nursing Rehabilitation Center in Scotia, NY. A native of Philadelphia PA, he received a four year merit scholarship from the city of Philadelphia to the University of Pennsylvania were he earned his bachelor's degree in chemistry. He served in the Navy for two years. He earned his doctorate in physical chemistry at the Illinois Institute of Technology. He joined the GE Research Laboratory, in Niskayuna, in 1951 and the following year named to the firm's instrument department in Lynn MA. He returned to the GE Research and Development Center in 1958 specializing in studies of physics and metallurgy of magnetic materials and devices. Dr. Luborsky was a fellow in the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and awarded its Centennial Medal for outstanding service and achievements. He is also a fellow of the American Institute of Chemists and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. An internationally known authority on permanent magnets and amorphous metals, Dr. Luborsky has made contributions to the field of permanent magnet materials, magnetic plated-wire memory materials, magnetic disc memories, high-gradient magnetic separators, and amorphous metals. He served as president of the IEEE's Magnetic Society and editor of its journal Transactions on Magnetics. He was a distinguished lecturer for the Magnetics Society and was presented its first Achievement Award. He had also served on the editorial boards of several technical journals and on the administrative committee of the various conferences. He was general chairman of the second joint Intermag Magnetism and Magnetic Material Conference in 1979. He has written more than 160 technical papers and holds 18 patents on his research. In 1978 he was named by his peers a Collidge fellow at the GE R&D Center for his outstanding and sustained research. He was an avid tennis player and woodwork craftsman. Dr. Luborsky and his wife, Florence, were married for 63 years. They raised three children. Professor Judith L. Luborsky, Biologist at Rush Medical Center, Chicago, Professor Mark R. Luborsky, Anthropologist (husband of Professor Andrea Sankar) at Wayne State University, Michigan, Rhoda S. Luborsky owner of Schenectady VanCurler Music in Schenectady Granddaughter, Rebecca C. Luborsky of Philadelphia A memorial service will be held at Congregation Gates of Heaven, 852 Ashmore Avenue in Schenectady on Friday February 5, 2010 at 2:00pm. In lieu of flowers those wishing to remember Fred in a special way may make a memorial contribution to Congregation Gates of Heaven.