Simon George

With love and remembrance as physics professor, husband, father and friend to many, Dr. Simon George, born on May 10, 1931, in Quilon, Kerala, India passed away on January 5, 2021. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn-Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, California. Family and friends remember him as being fun to be around, a lifelong tennis player, excited about the world of politics and devoted to his students.

Despite many years in the U.S., Simon never forgot his roots in South India. He was born in the state of Kerala, India to the late Julia and William George. He received his B.S. from University of Travancore (Kerala) and M.S. from the University of Saugar followed by teaching at the University of Guwahati, Assam, India. He arrived in the U. S. on a Fulbright in 1957, later obtaining his Ph.D degree in Physics from the University of British Columbia in 1962.

Starting his professional career in the U.S. in 1961, he was promoted through the ranks to tenured full professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) where he taught in that Department until his retirement 37 years later. He was rewarded for his efforts as the recipient of three of the University's most coveted awards -- Outstanding Professor Award (1984), Scholarly and Creative Activity Award (1985), and one that was particularly meaningful to him, the Academic Leadership Award (1997) which was given for his tireless work in faculty governance. He was an active participant in the California Faculty Association and the Association of Physics Teachers. During his career he was awarded several National Science Foundation Grants for travel to England, India, Mexico, and Venezuela. He authored/co-authored more than 50 papers in scientific journals and presented an equal number of papers at scientific conferences all over the world, including numerous invited lectures. A number of CSULB students completed their research work under his supervision for a master's degree in Physics and he served as external examiner for several Ph.D. theses for universities in India.

After retiring completely from teaching at CSULB in 2004, Simon continued to dress in his usual suit and tie to go to his office on campus every day until the building was razed to make way for a replacement. During that post-retirement period, he served as a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission for the City of Long Beach, traveled extensively throughout Europe, South America, and Asia, and enthusiastically lead tour groups of 10-20 people on 3-week tours to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Simon's long record of awards and accomplishments do not reflect what some friends have described as being "exceptionally good natured and always a gentleman" and his CSULB officemate of more than 30 years, Dr. Keung Luke, reminds us that "talking was in his blood." Others have commented on his generosity, determination, intellectual curiosity, and the way he offered constant encouragement to family and friends to achieve academic and professional success.

He sometimes attended St. Peter's CSI (Church of South India) in Hacienda Heights, CA. Rev. Dr. George Oommen of St. Peter's CSI prayed with him in his native Indian language the day before he passed.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 55 years and CSULB colleague, Barbara, his cherished and much loved son, Rajan and Karen of Honolulu, HI. His four siblings predeceased him in India: William, Leela, Mary, and Jacob. Surviving him are his nieces and nephews who include Suresh and his wife and daughter in Texas, along with Grace, Saroj, and Santosh in India with their spouses and children and the widows and children of two predeceased nephews Surej and Sajit, also in India.

His cremated remains will be interred during a private service at Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA. Part of his ashes will be retained and the urn will be taken to the church cemetery in Quilon, Kerala (India) for burial near his parents. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the CSULB Physics and Astronomy Dept. in his memory at https://giveto.csulb.edu/NATPSA01 Click on "Dedication" below contact information. If mailing, checks should be payable to the CSULB 49er Foundation and sent to: CSULB 49er Foundation, Gift Processing Department, 6300 State University Drive, #324, Long Beach, CA 90815 with specific reference to Dr. Simon George, Physics Dept.