Page 45 - Spring 2010

quia and was awarded the Prix d’Excellence by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES).
Despite debilitating health in the sunset of life, Van Holliday remained creative, productive, and helpful to any- one who asked. He epitomized the oft stated advice that “if you need a helping or guiding hand seek the busiest person
you know.” Though formally retired in 2007, Van continued his professional contributions through acoustic oceano- graphic data analyses for the University of Rhode Island and the University of Massachusetts, under appointments held at the time of his death.
William C. Cummings
Edgar A. G. Shaw
1921–2009
Dr. Edgar Shaw was a remarkable scientist, a supportive co-worker, a gen- tle teacher, and a good friend. He is commonly referred to as a “gentleman” by colleagues from around the world.
Edgar was highly-regarded interna- tionally for his careful and definitive research. In recognition, he was elected Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada in 1975 and received the Rayleigh medal from the Institute of Acoustics (UK) in 1979.
His work was often ahead of his
time. For example, his research on the
directional listening properties of the
ear was always recognized as being of
the highest quality but only in recent
years has this work been exploited. Now,
every product on the market that creates realistic, three- dimensional sound and every paper on the subject of head- related transfer functions can be traced back to Edgar’s pio- neering studies.
He was an inventor. The probe microphone that he developed to measure sound around the ear was innovative. His approach was subsequently taken up by Brüel and Kjær and their probe microphone is now marketed worldwide.
His research spanned many areas of acoustics. He has studied hearing protectors and earphones, the measurement of hearing (audiometry), the vibrational behavior of the vio- lin, occupational noise exposure, the effect of noise on birds, noise exposure in the community, and more. A prevailing
theme can be recognized—it is his con- cern for the human condition. Edgar was a humanitarian and he wanted his work to benefit his fellow humans.
Edgar had a long and successful career in acoustics at the National Research Council (NRC). He began in 1951 after emigrating from the United Kingdom. From 1975 to 1986 he was Head of the Acoustics Section in what was then the Division of Physics. Many of us were fortunate to work with Edgar. He collaborated and published with other members of the lab, including George Thiessen, Joe Piercy, Nils Olson, and Mike Stinson. But his influence was felt beyond these formal interactions. He was available to everyone at all times,
to provide practical and knowledgeable advice and guidance. After his retirement in 1986, Edgar continued to come in to the lab, as a Researcher Emeritus.
Edgar Shaw gave service to the field of acoustics at the highest level. He served as President of the Acoustical Society of America and as President of the International Commission for Acoustics. The Canadian Acoustical Association established the annual Edgar and Millicent Shaw Postgraduate Prize in Acoustics in his honor.
Most important of all, we will keep a fond memory of Edgar Shaw in our hearts.
Mike Stinson Gilles Daigle
Reprinted from Canadian Acoustics / Acoustique canadienne, Vol. 37, No. 4, p. 35 (2009) with kind permission from the Canadian Acoustical Association
ASA has been notified of the passings of the following ASA members:
Martin Hirschorn Dwight Kennard Ian C. Whitfield
Passings 41