ACerS remembers its members who have come before us and their contributions to the field.
The most recent obituary appears below. Links to previous remembrances are listed in the order in which we received them.
Please contact Lisa McDonald to provide a notice or update.
| David John Green, ACerS past president and DLM, 1947–2024 |
David John Green died on Aug. 13, 2024, at the age of 76. He was an ACerS Fellow (1991), past president (2013–2014), and Distinguished Life Member (2015).
Originally from Manchester, England, Green graduated with a B.S. in chemistry from the University of Liverpool, England, and with M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in materials science from McMaster University, Canada. During his graduate studies, he worked on microstructural aspects of fracture in ceramic materials. In particular, he demonstrated the importance of microcracking in the fracture of zirconia-based materials and also developed a specialized technique called ultrasonic fractography for studying crack–particle interactions in brittle materials.
In 1975, Green joined the Canadian Federal Government to work in the Department of Energy, Mines, and Resources. The primary emphasis of this work was concerned with the preparation of ultrafine, homogeneous ceramic powders for the fabrication of solid electrolytes for use in energy conversion and storage systems.
Joining Rockwell International Science Center in 1979, Green continued to study the relation between fabrication, microstructure, and the properties of ceramic materials. In particular, he contributed to the design of the heat shield and other aspects of the Space Shuttle projects during this time.
From 1984 until his retirement in 2013, Green served as a faculty member in the Department of Ceramic Science and Engineering at The Pennsylvania State University. His research on the mechanical behavior of porous ceramics during sintering and in use, as well as on the design of residual stresses to strengthen and arrest cracks in brittle materials, gained significant global attention.
Elizabeth Dickey, the Teddy and Wilton Hawkins Distinguished Professor at Carnegie Mellon University, remembers her time at Penn State with Green fondly.
“As a graduate student, I looked up to Dave as a luminary in ceramics research. As a colleague, I had the privilege of witnessing his dedication as an educator and mentor. As a friend, I cherished his passion for life and his genuine love for his wife, Keiko. I will remember him as a true gentleman, whose great optimism and spirit touched everyone he met,” she says.
Green was an active member of The American Ceramic Society. Notably, he served as vice president of the Publications Committee (1994–1996) and as senior editor of Journal of the American Ceramic Society (2003–2016). In these roles, he focused on ensuring a fair, fast, and comprehensive paper review process, which “made a real difference,” says Mark Mecklenborg, ACerS executive director.
Green was not only committed to inclusive participation within ACerS journals but the Society as a whole, as evidenced by his priorities as ACerS president. During his presidential year, he formed a committee to identify and suggest solutions to improve diversity within the Society. He also worked to strengthen ties between ACerS and other ceramic societies in the Americas, as well as helped lead the rollout of the newly established Ceramic and Glass Industry Foundation in 2014.
In 2005, Green was awarded the Basic Science Division’s Robert B. Sosman Award, which recognizes outstanding achievement in an area of basic science that results in a significant impact on the field of ceramics.
Green leaves behind many close colleagues and friends, including Bill Fahrenholtz, past editor-in-chief of Journal of the American Ceramic Society (2017–2022).
“In Fall 2016, before I assumed the position of editor-in-chief of JACerS, we had several meetings in which he helped me learn the complexities of the editorial management system as well as the more practical aspects of overseeing the journal,” Fahrenholtz says. “I had the utmost respect for David’s accomplishments as journal editor and as a ceramic researcher.”
Outside of research and ACerS, Green enjoyed ballroom dancing with his wife, Keiko Green. As he would often say with a smile, “We’ll ballroom dance to the Beatles if we have to!”
We Also Remember |