David J. Hofmann (1937–2009)

Abstract

David J. Hofmann, a pioneer in stratospheric aerosol and ozone research, passed away in Boulder, Colo., on 11 August 2009. He was 72. Dave, a frequent contributor to AGU publications and meetings, was elected an AGU Fellow in 2006.His long and prolific scientific career was, as he would say, simple in concept: Make a long‐term commitment to specific measurements, pay attention to the details, and focus on the important issues that the measurements raise. This is simple in concept yet challenging to maintain in a world of short‐term contracts and budgets. That Dave sustained and led key measurement programs through 25 years at the University of Wyoming (UW), in Laramie, and 17 years with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL, which became the Global Monitoring Division (GMD) of NOAA's Earth System Research Laboratory) in Boulder, speaks volumes about the scientific and societal benefits that have resulted from his work.