Richard Reiling Freeman
About Optica
In Memoriam: Richard Reiling Freeman, 1944 - 2024
25 March 2024
Richard R. Freeman, Optica Fellow and volunteer, passed away on 25 March 2024 at the age of 79. He was best known for his work on ultrafast VUV sources and lasers, lithography, and the “Freeman resonance” of ultrafast laser physics.
Freeman was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, but grew up in Seattle, Washington, where he attended the University of Washington. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in Physics in 1967 and then went on to pursue his PhD at Harvard University under Nobel laureate Norman Ramsey. Freeman went on to complete his postdoctoral studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1976, where he also held a position as a Lecturer. After MIT, Freeman worked at Bell Laboratories as department head. He also held roles as the Edward Teller Endowed Professor and Applied Sciences Department Chair at the University of California, Davis, Deputy Associate Director of the Lasers Program at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Dean of the College of Math and Physical Sciences, and Distinguished Professor of Math and Physical Sciences at the Ohio State University, and Affiliated Professor at the University of Washington. In 2017 and 2019, at the University of Washington, he offered interdisciplinary seminars such as The Science, History and Politics of Nuclear Weapons: How They Work, How They Came into Existence and Why They Remain an Existential Threat and Artificial Intelligence: It’s Your Future, Ready or Not.
Freeman authored over 350 peer-reviewed papers, held six patents, wrote the textbook Electromagnetic Radiation and mentored more than 30 PhD students.
In recognition of his achievements, Freeman was named an OSA Fellow in 1981. Freeman was a dedicated volunteer and served in numerous positions within the Society and the broader scientific community. He served as Chair of CLEO’s Fundamental Science Program Committee (1995 – 1996), the High Field and Short Wavelength Sources Technical Program Committee (1993 – 1994, 2000 - 2001), the Joint Council on Quantum Electronics (2000 – 2002), and as Applications Program Chair of the International Quantum Electronics Conference (IQEC) Organizing Committee (1993 – 1994). Freeman was also a member of the William F. Meggers Award Committee, the High Field and Short Wavelength Sources Technical Program Committee, the JOSA B Review Committee, the International Council on Quantum Electronics, and the CLEO Steering Committee. He also volunteered as a Student Chapter Leader.
Outside of optics, Freeman enjoyed his time outdoors with his dogs, reading, and traveling. He is survived by his wife Lynne, his sons Mark and Stephen, his five grandchildren, and his siblings, Thomas, David Freeman and Patricia Wilson.
Optica and the scientific community mourn his loss.
