Oregon PSR Honors the Memory of Dr. Rudi Nussbaum

In Memory of Rudi Nussbaum, PhD (1922-2011)

Rudi H. Nussbaum, PhD was Professor emeritus of Physics and Environmental Sciences at Portland State University, an active member of Oregon PSR since 1984, a former member of our Board of Directors and a staunch supporter of efforts to create a world free of the dangers of nuclear weapons and power. Oregon PSR is saddened by Dr. Nussbaum’s death on July 22^nd, 2011.

Rudi was not only a respected scientist, but as a pacifist and survivor of the Holocaust, he was a dedicated advocate for peace and social and environmental justice. Rudi was an inspiration to all those fortunate to have known him, and he will be greatly missed. Oregon PSR will continue to work to see his vision of a world free from the gravest threats to human health realized, and continue to have our work informed by his invaluable efforts and compassionate insight.

Laureen Nussbaum, PhD, with whom Rudi shared his life for more than 70 years, extends an invitation to Oregon PSR members and others who knew him to join in celebrating the life of Rudi Nussbaum. Below is a statement from Laureen:

“July 20 was the end of a wonderful vacation, during which Rudi and I had closed several circles at places dear to us in Switzerland, Germany and The Netherlands. On the way home, in the Amsterdam Airport, Rudi took a fatal fall. Fortunately our two sons and their wives were able to rush over from the US to bid him farewell. He died July 22 in a nearby hospital. At the cremation in Holland, we had a small memorial service with relatives and old friends. The circle of our remarkable life together was closed in Amsterdam, where the two of us had met 70 years before! 

Despite the shock and profound grief, I am grateful that Rudi was spared prolonged suffering and the infirmities of old age.

Please come and help the family and me celebrate his rich life.” 

-Laureen Nussbaum

Celebration of the Life of Rudi Nussbaum, PhD

When: October 23^rd, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Where: University Place Hotel and Conference Center (310 SW Lincoln Street, Portland, OR 97201)

Laureen has requested that, in lieu of flowers, people may make donations in Rudi's memory to Oregon PSR, to Mercy Corps, or to the Right Livelihood Award Foundation.

Read a story about Rudi’s involvement with Oregon PSR, collected in 2006 by Karen Steingart, MD, founding member and first president of Portland PSR (now Oregon PSR).

Read a statement on Rudi’s passing by Patricia Hoover (Oregon PSR Member, Northwest Radiation Health Alliance Founding Member, and Hanford downwinder), with whom he tirelessly worked to highlight the unacceptable detrimental health effects related to nuclear radiation.

Read an article in The Oregonian by Steve Duin on Rudi and Laureen Nussbaum's early years together.

For more information, please contact Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility at 503-274-2720 or by email.