Edward Anders, a Holocaust survivor and prominent figure in the field of cosmochemistry, passed away on June 1 at the age of 98. As a professor emeritus of chemistry at the University of Chicago, Anders made significant contributions to understanding the history of the solar system through his study of meteorites.
Anders' research established that meteorites originate from asteroids rather than the moon and contain grains predating the solar system. His precise measurements of elemental abundances in meteorites and the sun have shaped our understanding of how Earth and its surrounding celestial bodies formed.
Philipp Heck, senior director of research at the Field Museum and part-time professor at UChicago, remarked on Anders’ influence: “Anders’ work made a profound impact in the field and opened new avenues of research that continue to be actively pursued today worldwide, as well as here in Chicago.” He further noted that Anders' discovery of presolar stardust created a new area for scientists to explore.
Prof. Andrew M. Davis highlighted Anders’ extensive contributions: “The list of his contributions is truly remarkable,” he said. “Many of the cornerstones of the field today came out of Anders’ lab.”
Born Edward Alperovitch in Liepāja, Latvia, in 1926, Anders survived World War II by adopting various survival strategies after his father was killed by Nazis. He later emigrated to the United States with his mother Erika and studied chemistry at Columbia University. It was there that he developed an interest in meteorites after encountering them during a class demonstration.
Anders earned his Ph.D. in 1954 before joining UChicago’s faculty in 1955 where he became central to developing cosmochemistry studies alongside colleague Prof. Robert Clayton.
Among his many achievements were co-authoring reviews on elemental abundances foundational to cosmochemistry and cataloguing organic compounds found on meteorites. His lab conducted early analyses on Apollo mission lunar samples.
In one significant contribution, he demonstrated that meteorites provide records from billions of years ago due to containing presolar grains—tiny particles older than planets or even our sun—revealing ancient conditions within our solar nebula.
Heck acknowledged another insight from Anders regarding asteroid collisions contributing to fossilized meteorite evidence within Earth's sedimentary record millions later—a finding aligning with theories about dinosaurs' extinction due largely because meteoric impacts like one potentially causing global wildfires which researchers including Wendy Wolbach corroborated using rock samples dated back then showing high charcoal presence levels indicative massive fires having swept across planet following such strikes occurred long ago
After retiring from academia as Horace B Horton Professor Emeritus Chemistry Enrico Fermi Institute1991 turned attention towards documenting fellow Jewish neighbors fates during Holocaust primarily those living nearby hometown Liepaja majority whom perished compiling comprehensive database approximately7000 names while sharing experiences historians documentary filmmakers efforts ultimately claiming25 family members lives lost overall ordeal
George remembered father fondly describing dedication teaching general chemistry undergraduates receiving Llewellyn John Harriet Manchester Quantrell Award undergraduate mentoring1973 motivated belief potential future leaders included among students taught instilling scientific thinking process hopes influencing decisions later life positively impacted society overall result exposure early education
Anders accolades included NASA’s Medal Exceptional Scientific Achievement V.M Goldschmidt Medal J Lawrence Smith Medal Frederick C Leonard Medal Newcomb Cleveland Prize recognition exceptional career achievements honored fellowships American Academy Arts Sciences National Academy Sciences American Geophysical Union Astronomical Society Geochemical Society Royal Astronomical Society Meteoritical Society respectively
Predeceased wife Joan brother George survived two children George Betsy Nanci five grandchildren Sara Amy Emily Leah Peter three great-grandchildren Avery Ezra Calvin