George W. Platzman | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | August 2, 2008 Chicago, Illinois, US | (aged 88)
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of Chicago |
Spouse |
Harriet M. Herschberger
(
m. 1945; died 1985) |
Scientific career | |
Fields |
Meteorology Geophysical fluid dynamics |
Doctoral students | Norman A. Phillips Ferdinand Baer |
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]
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]