Bob Ellsworth, Zoa Conner, Betty Alexander, Me-Li Chen, Jordan Goodman.Bob Ellsworth, a UMD Physics visiting professor and professor emeritus at George Mason University, died on August 6, 2026 at the age of 89. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Rochester and pursued a distinguished career in experimental particle and cosmic-ray physics. Working with Professor Gaurang Yodh, Bob helped establish UMD’s cosmic-ray research group. His pioneering measurements using cosmic rays provided the first experimental evidence that the proton-proton cross section increases with energy, a fundamental result in high-energy particle physics. His later research included contributions to the Super-Kamiokande neutrino experiment in Japan, the Cygnus and Milagro observatories in New Mexico, and the HAWC Observatory in Mexico. Professor Jordan Goodman first met Bob as a UMD freshman and recalls, “Bob was a tremendous mentor to me. He taught me the importance of careful experimental work: Always start by looking at the signal.”
Claude Kacser, a faculty member from 1964 to 1997, died on Aug. 24, 2026 at the age of 92. Kacser received his doctorate at Oxford University and accepted postions at Princeton and Columbia universities before joining UMD. He was the author of the 1967 textbook, Introduction to the Special Theory of Relativity. 
Claude KacserKacser was sent to America from Europe as a six-year old in 1940 to escape the Nazi threat. He told his story as part of the "One Thousand Children" project in 2012: Claude Kacser's One Thousand Children Story (American Kindertransport).
Miriam L. Ferrell died on June 8, 2026. She was the wife of Dr. Richard Ferrell and a strong supporter of the Department of Physics.
Miriam Ferrell and Steve Rolston
Born in Princeton, New Jersey, in 1928, she was the ninth of 11 children. She married Richard Ferrell
in 1952 while employed by Educational Testing Service (the creator of the SAT and GRE tests) in Princeton. When John Toll hired Richard to strengthen the condensed matter theory efforts in the UMD Physics department, the Ferrells settled in University Park. Both were avid hikers and skiers. As Richard’s research became internationally renowned, he, Miriam and their children learned new languages and were invited and honored at universities and professional conferences all over the world. Miriam reciprocally hosted numerous international guests visiting UMD, was active in the UMD Faculty Wives Club and International Wives Club, and was a docent at the Riversdale House. Richard died in Miriam’s loving arms at their home in 2005.
Miriam is survived by her son Robert Ferrell and daughter Rebecca Clark, their
respective spouses Lisa and Jeff, and four grandchildren: Thomas, Gabriela, Melissa,
and Jessica.