"Gentle," "caring," and "thoughtful" are not usually words we associate with nuclear science. They are all definitely words, though, that are associated with James Warf, a chemistry professor at USC. Warf passed away in his Silverlake home on Friday, after a long battle with spinal cancer, the Daily Trojan reports. He was 91. 

Warf definitely moved past nuclear science to become remembered as a brilliant professor and activist.

Warf led an incredibly interesting life, including work during WWII as a leader on the Manhattan Project, a group to research using the first nuclear weapon. While his intention was to fight the Nazi's, Warf eventually regretted his time spent there, worried about the prevalence of dangerous nuclear technology in the world. He worked to correct this by being a strong anti-nuclear weapon activist, often testifying to congress as an expert witness of nuclear technology and the use weapons-grade uranium in reactors.  

Warf became a professor at USC in 1948, and taught general chemistry and analytical chemistry for 40 years until he retired. Beyond working to teach students, Warf also wrote  “All Things Nuclear,” a look at how nuclear technology is used, and “Pathways in Analytical Chemistry,” a textbook used by USC professors. 

Warf made a number of important contributions outside USC's community as well. He wrote 6 textbooks for Indonesian and Malay students, as well as working to record textbooks for blind and dyslexic students. Colleagues remember this drive to help others--whether through a better science education, or working to end the nuclear weapons race-- as something that made Warf an incredibly special man. 

The Daily Trojan provided information about his memorial service: 

Warf is survived by his wife, Kyoko Sato Warf; three children from his first marriage, daughter Sandy of Seal Beach and sons Curren of Silver Lake and Barney of Lawrence, Kan.; three grandchildren and a great-grandchild. His first wife, Lee Walker, died in 1959.

 

Curren Warf is an associate professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine.

 

A memorial service for Warf is planned for 2 p.m. Dec. 13 in the Vineyard Room at USC’s Davidson Conference Center. 

CollegeOTR and I extend our condolences to his family and friends, as well as applaud the life of such a great and honorable professor. College can be hard, but knowing that there are professors out there that really about students makes it all a little better.