We are saddened to report the passing of our dear friend and colleague Bernd Crasemann, former Editor of Physical Review A, on the morning of Sunday, October 28, 2018, at the age of 96.
Born on January 23, 1922, in Hamburg, Bernd received his early education in Chile before moving to the US, where he obtained a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1948, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley in 1953. He then joined the physics faculty at the University of Oregon, where, apart from several visiting appointments throughout his career, he stayed until his retirement. Throughout the world, Bernd was well known for his work in theoretical atomic physics, in particular his work on atomic inner-shell physics as explored with synchrotron radiation.
In 1992, Bernd succeeded Ben Bederson as the Editor of Physical Review A, and he held this position until 2006, leading the journal through a rapidly changing publication landscape. During his tenure, Physical Review E was created and split off from Physical Review A. No less significant was the rise of electronic communication, and the resulting shift from print-only to online publication and an all-electronic workflow. Through all these changes, Bernd guided the journal with high standards and unfailing commitment.
All of us at Physical Review pass on our condolences to the members of Bernd’s family. We will miss him as a colleague, and as a friend.
Michael Thoennessen
Editor in Chief
Daniel T. Kulp
Editorial Director
The Editors of Physical Review A
