Harold Y. Wachman

Wachman was born in 1927 in Tel Aviv and immigrated to Brooklyn, NY in 1940. Upon graduating from City College of New York, he was drafted into the army and stationed at the Dugway Proving Grounds in Utah. There he conducted scientific research on the development of a civilian nerve gas detector.

While on leave from the army, Wachman was introduced to, fell in love with and married Barbara Uvlin from the Bronx.

Once discharged from the army, Wachman earned his Ph.D. in photochemistry at the University of Missouri at Columbia. In 1956, Wachman joined General Electric’s Space Sciences Laboratory in Pennsylvania where he conducted research on molecular collisions responsible for satellite drag and orbital decay. In 1962, Wachman was recruited into the nascent Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at MIT. He remained on the faculty there until his retirement in 1996.

Humble about his professional accomplishments, his was a satisfaction born from achieving a greater understanding of naturally occurring phenomenon. In his research, Wachman was a scholar of low density gas behavior, low gravity combustion and ice nucleation. Several scientific experiments inspired by his laboratory research were conducted aboard Space Shuttle missions and influenced the design and engineering of satellites and rockets.

Well respected for his uncommon wisdom and well regarded for his rare wit, Wachman had an intellect nurtured by curiosity and guided by a strong moral code. Friends knew him as an engaging conversationalist always ready to share a good glass of wine and entertaining anecdotes peppered with humor and morality.

But nothing made him happier than time spent with family. Wachman is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara; brother Murray, husband to Helene (deceased); brother Amnon, husband of Ann; and sister Dahlia Matlin, wife of Sam. He was beloved father of Alan (deceased), husband of Laura; Joel, husband of Leslie, and Joshua, husband of Silvina. Wachman was also adoring “Grandpa” to Sam, Rachel, Daniel, Ori, Tali and Galia.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Professor Alan M. Wachman Memorial Fund at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, 160 Packard Avenue, Medford, MA 02155.

Services will be held at Thursday, March 28 at 2:00 pm at Stanetsky Memorial Chapel in Canton followed by burial at Sharon Memorial Park in Sharon.