Kenneth J. Plotkin—A most unforgettable character

Abstract

In a career lasting over 45 years, Ken Plotkin established himself as a world leader in aeroacoustics, best known for his research studies of sonic boom. He developed the first practical method of predicting focused sonic booms and has been a key participant in recent studies to mitigate sonic booms, for which he has been awarded several NASA awards for excellence. But Ken’s contributions to the field of acoustics have been much more diverse than many realize. They have included topics such as highway, vehicle and tire noise, psychoacoustics, aircraft noise simulation modeling, soundscape analysis and monitoring, and community noise. Ken was one of the most intelligent people the author has ever met, and one of the most inventive. He had the ability to break down complex problems into simple components that could be understood and solved, often using limited available data and simple theoretical models. Refreshingly modest with a self-deprecating and cynical sense of humor, Ken was one of those rare people who, once met, would never be forgotten. As a long-term colleague and friend, the author will discuss some of his major contributions and share some of his experiences working with him.