Arthur Davidson

A physicist, researcher, professor, and mentor, he understood both the forces in the universe and the gravity of showing up for the people in his life. Born in Washington, D.C. to Martin and Clara Davidson (née Prager) and raised in Bethesda, MD, he showed an early aptitude for mechanics, problem-solving, and abstract thinking, following in the footsteps of his father, also a physicist. His early talents brought him to Boston, where he studied at MIT and later Harvard. It was there that he met his wife, Janis, a Boston native, at a dance.

In both his professional and family life, he was a warm, steady presence, ready to help others navigate their next challenge. He had a gift for helping people find clarity and confidence in their own choices. He thought independently and held strong convictions, guided by a belief in helping others better understand the world and the systems that shape it. His work was in quantum mechanics, grappling with some of the most abstract ideas in science; but with family, he was grounded and accessible - a caring father and a playful grandfather.

He was predeceased by his wife, Janis Davidson (née Goodman), by just two months. Together, they lived in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Yorktown Heights, New York; and Boston, Massachusetts, and spent a formative sabbatical year in Copenhagen, Denmark with their young family.

He is survived by his son, Adam Davidson, his wife, Rebecca Stang, and their daughter, Delilah, of Washington, D.C.; and his daughter, Heather “Heidi” Davidson, her husband, Lansana Keita, and their daughter, Eliana, of Düsseldorf, Germany. He is also survived by his siblings Joseph Davidson, Sara Davidson-Maddox, and Judy Laue.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Hebrew Volin Cemetery, 776 Baker Street, West Roxbury.