Professor Leon and Pauline Blitzer Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Physics and Related Sciences

The Blitzer Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Physics and Related Sciences is shared by the UArizona departments of Astronomy, Atmospheric Sciences, Physics, and Planetary Sciences.

Professor Leon Blitzer began his nearly 70 years with the UA Physics department as an undergraduate, earning a B.S. and M.S. in 1938 and 1939. He was awarded his Ph.D. from Cal Tech in 1943, and returned to UA in 1946 as an assistant professor of physics. As one of few faculty at that time to pursue research, his work focused on spectroscopy, astrophysics and celestial mechanics. He received one of the first grants in department history, and in 1949, at age 33, he became the youngest full professor on campus. Dr. Blitzer was devoted to both graduate and undergraduate teaching, receiving many accolades for his remarkable skills, and was the driving force in starting the Ph.D. program in the Department. A true gentleman, he personified the ideal professor with devotion to all aspects of the job -teaching, research and service. Throughout his career, his extensive activities beyond academe reflected his desire to help the community. After retiring in 1986, he remained active in the department for years, attending faculty meetings, advising undergraduates and mentoring university physics teachers.

Pauline Meyer Blitzer, also raised in New York, came to UA in the 1930s where she met Leon. They married in 1942. After receiving her B.A. in education in 1940, she taught elementary school until she "retired" in the early 1950s. She was well known by students and faculty as the "hostess" of the Blitzer home. For over 50 years, Pauline was active in many charities and civic activities, raising funds for Hadassah, civil rights organizations, fighting cystic fibrosis and heart disease.

The Professor Leon and Pauline Blitzer Award for Excellence in the Teaching of Physics and Related Sciences was established by the Blitzer children, Mimi and Charles, to honor the memory of their parents. The award comes with an honorarium from a fund endowed by contributions from family, friends, colleagues, and former students.

This award is funded through the Professor Leon and Pauline Blitzer Teaching Award Fund held at the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona.
Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to the fund:

• Online at www.jparizona.org. Select “Contribute to a Fund” near the bottom of the Donate page.
• Mail a check payable to the Jewish Community Foundation of Southern Arizona (JCF), 3718 East River Rd., Suite 118, Tucson, AZ, 85718

If assistance is needed, call JCF at 520-577-9393.