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522 Necrology 522 BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY interest in the problems of bioclimatology and specifically the question of the therapeutic value of the atmospheric NECROLOGY environment at Austrian resorts. He devised a bio- climatic classification based on the cooling power of the surrounding air. Victor Conrad In the middle twenties some of the threads disrupted by 1876-1962 World War I also began to become reestablished. Most fortunate for geophysics was the resumption of publica- The busy life of Victor Conrad drew to a close on 26 tion of the famous Beitraege, established by Gerland, April 1962 after a lingering illness. A full appraisal under Conrad's editorship. Under his wise policies this of his scientific contributions would need a whole team of soon became the international journal of geophysics. present-day specialists. He was a man of broad gauge Many important papers and dissertations filled the 39 and his interests during a long life span covered many volumes in the years 1926 through 1938 while he took diverse subjects. In this respect he was one of the last care of the series. The flood of new material led him among a group of generalists in geophysics who were soon to establish two companion series, one devoted to equally well at home in all areas of the whole field and applied geophysics, and the other to chronicle the results who gave it a mighty impetus in the first decades of the of cosmic physics. century. At the same time Conrad's interest in climatology deep- Conrad was born on 25 August 1876 in Vienna where ened. His early training in the precise procedures of he took his Ph.D. at the renowned University in 1900. physics and mathematics made him quite unhappy with He had received a thorough grounding in the exact sci- the loose empirical ways of this science. With several ences and devoted the first few years of his scientific of his contemporaries he began to introduce the tools career to studies of atmospheric electricity. This resulted of mathematical statistics into climatological work. Un- in several important memoirs published by the Viennese der von Hann and Wilhelm Schmidt the Austrian group Academy of Sciences. A later outgrowth of these studies had begun to develop important prototypes of climato- by a talented team led to the discovery of cosmic radiation logical studies. The great genius W. Koeppen had also by one of the members (V. F. Hess). For Conrad, this chosen Austria as his retirement home—but not to retire. work led at an early age to a full professorship in 1910. Koeppen started to direct one of his most ambitious He received a call to the chair of cosmic physics at the projects here, the monumental handbook of climatology. University of CzernowTicz in the Bukovina. In passing, His most fortunate move in this undertaking was the it is perhaps interesting to note that already at that early invitation to Conrad to write the chapter on the climatic date all Austrian Universities had chairs in this subject elements and their dependence on terrestrial influence. matter, devoted to the physics of the earth and its rela- This resulted in a 556-page tome, the longest segment of tions to the universe. Even in this day of space explora- the handbook. It is probably Conrad's most important tion such status has not yet been achieved at tradition- scientific contribution. As a scholarly, comprehensive re- bound institutions in other countries. view it has found no equal in the over three decades that Conrad's period at Czernowicz, where he started an have passed since its writing. intensive study of the climate of the Balkans, was unfor- But as Conrad was approaching the height of his tunately brief. World War I interrupted the pursuit of career the hand of fate again broke the thread. It was peaceful endeavors. The Czar's armies overran the area the uneasy year 1938. A demented Austrian, then dic- in the early fighting of the outgoing summer of 1914. tator in Germany, marched into his homeland to disrupt Conrad, who escaped the Russian advance, found himself its easy-going traditions. Many had to flee to save their soon as a lieutenant in the imperial Austrian army in the lives. Conrad was among them. It was touch and go area of Serbia (now Yugoslavia). After the defeat of at the last breath-taking minute. But thanks to generous the Central Powers his peace-time job vanished when help from the Carl Schurz Foundation and the Samuel the eastern crown territories of Austria became part of Fels Foundation, both of Philadelphia, a temporary berth Romania. as research associate in geophysics at Pennsylvania State Fortunately Conrad was soon appointed professor of University was established for him. meteorology and climatology at his alma mater in 1920. He filled this job from 1939 to 1940 but the transition In this position he had close contact with the meteorologi- from the world-city Vienna to the rural counties of cal central office, then still under the leadership of the Pennsylvania was not easy. Nor was there a gentle way indefatigable J. von Hann. Thus began his most fruitful to metamorphose a 63-year-old Austrian into an Ameri- period of teaching and research. A series of important can. Even Cambridge, Mass., where the late C. F. Brooks papers resulted, dealing with such diverse subjects as was able to raise funds for a more permanent position alpine snow covers, local climatography, lake tempera- as a research associate of the Institute of Geographical tures, and earthquakes. In investigating a number of Exploration of Harvard University, just was not Vienna. local earthshocks, he found heretofore unidentified wave But for over a decade Conrad was at least able to work speeds caused by a discontinuity which still bears Conrad's usefully. His Introduction to Physical Climatology and name as its discoverer. his Methods in Climatology resulting during this period Between 1920 and 1938 Conrad also took a very active are witnesses of the basically indomitable spirit of Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/06/21 05:58 PM UTC METEOROLOGICAL INSTRUMENTATION FOR RESEARCH M.R.I, can supply most needs for versatile meteorological instrumentation by delivering instruments already developed and tested in the field on applied and basic research programs. • POTENTIAL GRADIENT • SIGMA METER Portable indicating Model 604 Portable unit indicating wind Portable recording Model 604A fluctuation energy from bivane sensor, for diffusion prediction Model 1060 • LIGHTNING WARNING Portable with alarm Model 604C • CLOUD DROP SAMPLER Fixed with recorder & alarm Model A-25 Portable for aircraft or ground use, makes plastic replicas of impacting • CAMERAS particles on continuous film for Lapse time Model A-16 analysis of spectra & type Model 1200 Whole sky Model A-17 Radio controlled Model A-17R • RADAR Radar scope Model 103 Economical X-band unit, 50 kw, for • WIND trailer or fixed installation. 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Write or call for further information on any of the above or for quotations on custom designs of sensors or systems to your requirements. Area code 213, Phone 798-4297. Employment opportunities for instrumentation specialists. meteorology research, inc. • 2420 n. lake ave. • altadena, calif. Unauthenticated | Downloaded 10/06/21 05:58 PM UTC 524 BULLETIN AMERICAN METEOROLOGICAL SOCIETY Conrad. A few occasional papers emanated from his pen on the sea breeze phenomenon. Most recently, he worked until the very last few years. on a project which studied the interactions among the Professor Conrad led a rather retired life. He did not different scales of atmospheric motions, varying from care for social contacts. He did not like the stage. He local winds to the general circulation of the atmosphere. felt best among his books at his desk. He did not have He received his bachelor's degree at the City College the fire of an inspiring lecturer but showed all the bril- of New York in 1937, and in 1937 come to NYU as liance of his penetrating mind in small seminars or per- instructor in meteorology. He earned his master's sonal conversations. He was always glad to be consulted degree in meteorology at the College of Engineering in and gave advice freely and generously. His love for 1945 and completed requirements for his doctorate at seclusion resulted probably in the curious fact that the NYU's Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in 1960. usual honors for great scholars by-passed him. The From 1945 to 1952, Dr. Fisher worked as airways and University of Vienna renewed his doctor's diploma on transatlantic forecaster for the Weather Bureau at La- the fiftieth anniversary of its bestowal. His colleagues Guardia Field, and then returned to NYU to become presented him a scroll on his eightieth birthday. All in research associate in meteorology. In January 1962 he all it was very incongruous recognition by a world that was promoted to senior research scientist, a rank equiva- often showers the busybodies with rewards.
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