Alex E. S. Green's Obituary
Gainesville resident Alex E.S. Green died March 12, 2014, at Haven Hospice after a very short battle with advanced melanoma. Born June 2, 1919 in Brooklyn, NY, Dr. Green was the third child of Joseph and Celia Green.
He became fascinated by physics, electronics and slide rules at Brooklyn Technical High School. He received a BS in Physics from the City College of New York in 1940 and a MS from California Institute of Technology in 1941. As an Operations Analyst in the China-Burma-India Theatre during World War II, Alex was based out of Kharagphur, India where he developed specialized slide rules to solve technical problems related to B-29 bombing raids for General LeMay. He participated in one of the longest and most hazardous B-29 missions which found the missing Japanese fleet, including the battleship Yamato, and was recognized by President Truman with a Medal of Freedom.
Alex met and married Freda Kaplowitz in Kingston, NY shortly after the war and earned his PhD in Nuclear Physics from the University of Cincinnati in 1948. In 1953, the growing family moved to Tallahassee, where Alex expanded the Nuclear program at FSU and spent a year at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In 1959, Alex became Chief of Physics for Convair General Dynamics, in San Diego but returned to academia in 1963 and moved the family to Gainesville. As a Graduate Research Professor at UF, he formed the Interdisciplinary Center for Aeronomy and Atmospheric Sciences. By the 1990s, under the auspices of the Mechanical Engineering Department, his focus turned to waste-to-energy. Green Liquid and Gas Technologies was formed after his retirement from UF and became a finalist for the Cade Museum Prize three years in a row. Alex was recipient of the 2013 Cade Museum People’s Choice award. His research career encompassed 17 books, over 400 publications, and numerous patents.
Alex was active in many professional groups, and most recently in the local China-Burma-India Basha and Decrepit Birdmen. Approximately 15 years ago, he was contacted by the Oughtred Society regarding his World War II slide rules and began expanding and displaying his slide rule collection, including an 8-foot teaching slide rule, at Collector’s Day at the Florida Museum of Natural History. Alex combined presentations at conferences around the world with travel with Freda and treasured his large family’s frequent gatherings.
Alex is predeceased by his daughter Linda Green Proctor. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Freda Green, of Gainesville, son Bruce Green (Christine) of Micanopy, Deborah Green (David Marano) of Orlando, Marcia Green (Alan Hill) and Tammy Gordon (Jeff) of Gainesville. He is also survived by his grandchildren Naorah Lockhart, Akiba Green, Malika Green Barros, Elisa Lockhart, Jesse Gordon and Jacob Gordon, step-grandchildren Jenny Hill and Adam Hill, and six great-grandchildren.
Funeral Service will be held Friday, March 14, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., in the chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street, with Rabbi David Kaiman officiating. Burial will follow in B’nai Israel Cemetery at the corner of Waldo Road and University Avenue. In lieu of flowers, Alex requested that donations be made for student scholarships to Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Place, Brooklyn, NY 11217, http://www.bths.edu/, in honor of Alex Green, Class of 1936, or Haven Hospice, 4200 NW 90th Blvd., Gainesville, Fl 32606-3809.
What’s your fondest memory of Alex?
What’s a lesson you learned from Alex?
Share a story where Alex's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Alex you’ll never forget.
How did Alex make you smile?