Harold I. Ewen

United States

1922-2015

Obituary:

Doc (Harold Irving) Ewen of South Deerfield passed away on October 8, 2015
at the age of 93. Doc was the beloved husband for 58 years of Mary Ann Ewen
(née Whitney), who passed away on September 26, 2014. Doc and Mary Ann had
eight children who loved them dearly. Doc did his undergraduate studies at
Amherst College in mathematics and astronomy and graduate studies at
Harvard University in physics. While at Harvard, Doc detected interstellar
hydrogen (the 21 centimeter line), thereby launching the field of radio
astronomy. Working in the Cyclotron Lab at Harvard, his efforts led to the
development of the first external beam, an achievement that was ultimately
adapted for the treatment of brain tumors. Doc served as Second Lieutenant
in the Navy during World War II. Doc taught celestial navigation for a
pilot training program at Amherst College. Doc served as co-director of the
Harvard Radio Astronomy Program, as well as CEO of Ewen Knight and Ewen Dae Corporations. Doc was an avid Red Sox fan, a passion that extended to
building a ball field in the back yard on which he often played ball with
his children. Doc is survived by his children: Donald, Bruce, Mark,
Deborah, David, Daniel, and Rebecca as well as ten grandchildren. Doc was
predeceased by his son James.

- Dan Ewen

Second Obituary: https://rahist.nrao.edu/ewen_bio-memoir.shtml