Aaron Irving Galonsky

Dr. Aaron Irving Galonsky, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at Michigan State University, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024 at the age of 95. 

Aaron was born on April 18, 1929 to Victor and Sadie (Hyman) Galonsky in Brooklyn, New York. He grew up with his parents and older sister, Mildred, during the Depression. Aaron attended Brooklyn College and then earned a PhD in physics from the University of Wisconsin. His career began at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, and ultimately he joined the Physics and Astronomy Department at Michigan State University, where he worked for over 37 years. At MSU he taught physics classes, mentored graduate students and performed physics experiments at the Cyclotron Laboratory. 

In 1975 Aaron moved the entire family to Jülich, Germany for a one year sabbatical where he worked at a nuclear research facility, Kernforschungsanlage (currently renamed Forschungszentrum Jülich). Subsequently, he collaborated on physics experiments with colleagues from all over the world, both at MSU and their home institutions in Germany, Hungary, Switzerland, France, Brazil and Japan. 

Aaron met his future wife, Marion Weber, at the University of Wisconsin Student Union in January 1950, when they both wanted to listen to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony in the music room. They married in January 1951. Aaron and Marion became avid travelers, riding mules to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and exploring Yosemite National Park. In 1955 they set sail for what they imagined would be a once in a lifetime trip to Europe. Instead it led to a lifetime of travel. Their 64 year marriage, lasting until Marion’s death in 2015, thrived on raising their three children and traveling to U.S. National Parks and visiting countries around the world. 

Aaron’s green thumb allowed him to cultivate a beautiful flower and vegetable garden. His love of dogs ensured one or two wagging tails were often nearby. He ran many distance races and competed in the Georgia Half-Marathon at the age of 82, placing second for his age group. He grew up a Brooklyn Dodgers fan but eventually cheered for the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Tigers and the Michigan State Spartans. 

Aaron was predeceased by his parents, his sister Mildred Galonsky, and his loving wife Marion (Weber). He is survived by his three children, Marc (Patricia Dietz) Galonsky, Lee Anne (David) Sanderson, and Bruce (Barbara) Galonsky and six grandchildren. 

A memorial will be held on October 26, 2024 at 1:30 pm at the MSU Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, 640 South Shaw Lane, East Lansing, MI 48824. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be be made in Aaron’s honor to the Galonsky International Research and Travel Award at Michigan State University: https://givingto.msu.edu/gift/index.cfm?SMID=A51046