George William Platzman (April 19, 1920 – August 2, 2008) was an American meteorologist, known for his contributions to the study of geophysical fluid dynamics.[1] He is recognized as a pioneer in the field of storm-surge forecasting.[2]

George W. Platzman
Born(1920-04-19)April 19, 1920
DiedAugust 2, 2008(2008-08-02) (aged 88)
Chicago, Illinois, US
Alma materUniversity of Chicago
Spouse
Harriet M. Herschberger
(m. 1945; died 1985)
Scientific career
FieldsMeteorology
Geophysical fluid dynamics
Doctoral studentsNorman A. Phillips Ferdinand Baer

Biography

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Platzman was born in Chicago, Illinois, on April 19, 1920. He studied mathematics and physics at the University of Chicago, and graduated in 1940.[3] In 1941, he received his master's degree from the University of Arizona[3] and then returned to the University of Chicago, where he taught meteorology to Air Corps cadets during World War II while simultaneously working on his Ph.D.[3] He completed his Ph.D. in 1947.[3] Platzman taught at the University of Chicago for nearly his entire career and was instrumental in advocating for the use of computers to analyze meteorological data.[3]

Platzman died on August 2, 2008, of heart failure.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "George W. Platzman, Meteorologist 1920-2008". U. Chicago. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 12 April 2014.
  2. ^ "Dr. George W. Platzman". IT History Society. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 11 November 2019.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Ahmed, Azam (19 August 2008). "Dr. George Platzman: 1920 - 2008". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 2019-12-03.