John Huchra, astronomer, dies at 61
John Peter Huchra died unexpectedly on Oct. 8 at the age of 61. He was the Robert O. & Holly Thomis Doyle Professor of Cosmology and the senior adviser to the provost for research policy at Harvard. “This news comes a deep shock to us all,” said Charles Alcock, director of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). “John’s career was marked with distinction for his fundamental contributions to cosmology, his tireless and effective service and advocacy for astronomy, his dedication and brilliance as a teacher and mentor, his devotion to and care for students, and his warmth and humor.” Huchra came to the CfA in 1976 as a fellow, having received a B.S. from MIT and his Ph.D. from the California Institute of Technology. He was a Smithsonian astronomer from 1978 to 2005, when he became Harvard’s vice provost for research and policy. He was the director of the Whipple Observatory from...