In Memoriam: Donald S. Nicholson

Longtime friend, supporter and distinguished member of The Optical Society (OSA) and the Optical Society of Southern California (OSSC), Donald S. Nicholson, died Nov. 11 at age 98.

Courtesy of The Optical Society.

Born in 1918 in Pasadena, Calif., Nicholson studied physics at Pomona College and received a master’s degree in Meteorology from Caltech in 1942. He once served as head of optical systems at The Aerospace Corporation, and later was president of the OSSC. Nicholson was also a longtime Fellow of OSA, and also served as chair of its Aeronautics and Space Systems Technical Group.

Nicholson formerly worked for Lockheed Overseas Corp. as a meteorologist, and also served in the U.S. Army Air Force. Upon his discharge, he joined Technicolor before moving on to the Nortronics Division of Northrop Grumman.

Nicholson was an active member of Mount Wilson Observatory Association, and recently was part of the preliminary optical design of the adaptive optics system that is now in place on a 100-in. telescope at the Observatory.

Click here for more information about Nicholson’s contributions to the industry, as well as planned memorial services, or contact NicholsonMemorial@gmail.com.