October 18, 2013
October 18, 2013
It seems only as yesterday we visit Stan for the last time. That image of Stan with a smile and eyes with brilliant light always inspires me. He will always live in my heart!
Stan passed away peacefully at home on October 17, a month short of his 90th birthday. His wife Rosa, children Ben, Harvey, Dale, Robin, Steven, Angela, Vicki, and grandchildren Natasha, Noah, Sylvie, Pablo, Olivia, Norah, and brother Herb grieve the loss to the world of our deeply loved husband, father, grandfather, brother and outstanding contributor to humanity. His courage and leadership from the early days of the labor, civil rights and peace movements, continued in his lifelong dedication to a just society for all.
Universally credited with the development of the field of amorphous semiconductors, Stan was a brilliant, self-educated physicist and inventor, who with Rosa and his late wife Iris, lived his beliefs daily by using science and technology to create a more beautiful and better world. His many inventions including thin film solar panels, the nickel metal hydride battery which enabled hybrid vehicles, and phase change memory devices are examples of his pioneering contributions to the field of sustainable energy and innovative information technology.
Private burial will be at the Workmen’s Circle Cemetery in Akron, Ohio on Sunday, October 21.
Donations in Stan’s honor can be made to:
ACLU of Michigan
Attention: Paul Jeden
2966 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 578-6813
pjeden@aclumich.org
or
The Ovshinsky Student Fund
c/o Darlene Logan, Director of Development
The American Physical Society
1 Physics Ellipse
College Park, MD 20740
https://www.aps.org/memb-sec/donation/DonationFunds.cfm
(Ovshinsky Student Fund is listed with Special Projects)
We invite you to contribute stories, memories and photos of Stan to this site.
Tributes
Leave a tribute
October 18, 2013
October 18, 2013
Stan, I'm in the midst of a project where one of the chapters is called "Energy and Information: Two Sides of the Same Coin." You'd be pleased.
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
A year has gone by so quickly but your memory and inspiration will stay forever.. Rest in peace
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
It has been already one year since Stan departed for his forever trip.
However he still lives in our memory and our heart.
However he still lives in our memory and our heart.
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
I always think of you Stan everytime I am working on solving problems and decisions I make that affect people. You continue to be a great inspiration...
October 17, 2013
October 17, 2013
It is hard to believe that Stan passed away 1 year ago. There is not a day we think of him, his work and our association with him for the 32 years we worked. He will always be remembered. Venkatesan
October 16, 2013
October 16, 2013
My connection to Stan is through His son, Ben. I did not know Stan, but I am getting the feeling that the "acorn does not fall far from the tree". Getting to know Ben has really been a blessing, and I am guessing that Ben's enthusiasm and joy towards people + life could be attributed to His Father and family. Warm regards & Love to the Ovshinsky Family, Ken Finberg San Francisco
August 21, 2013
August 21, 2013
I am glad someone has kept this thread alive. With every passing day the importance of Stan's work along with Iris and his team deepens. Millions upon millions of HYBRIDS are running and will be running with the NIMH battery/the distribution of all solar cells worldwide continues at a brisk pace concerning more and more the utilities who have not embraced PV/PCM through Micron define info
August 20, 2013
August 20, 2013
today, I wrote in a book given to a 13-year old: "Eine besser shonere Welt far ale".
February 8, 2013
February 8, 2013
Stan was my great uncle My grandmother was his sister.I miss him deeply with all my heart.Life has been hard Im trying to get use to the fact I cant pick up the phone and talk to him.I feel a little better knowing he is with Iris his sister and both of his parents.I love him so much I will never forget everything he has done for me never.WITH ALL MY LOVE DANI
January 24, 2013
January 24, 2013
I often reflect on the dedicatory words written by David Adler on his photo which hangs on the wall in Stan's home study along with those of other great scientists/friends such as Linus Pauling and I. I. Rabi:
"To Stan, who taught me how to live, and how to think, and made it possible for me to do both". The loss of this great man, my father, is incalculable.
"To Stan, who taught me how to live, and how to think, and made it possible for me to do both". The loss of this great man, my father, is incalculable.
January 13, 2013
January 13, 2013
To the man who inspired me the minute i saw him on the Huel Howsers show drinking a glass of alge water,I just learned of his passing now and the second I did, I can only say I felt a loss to the planet and felt my hear drop and said"Oh no".I can only hope that someone with half his passion and intelligence will pick up the ball
January 13, 2013
January 13, 2013
Here I go again, but the world day by day is CONFIRMING Stan's(and his team-Iris-Rosa- others) GENIUS. History hadn't totally firmed up before his passing. But We All (for the good of mankind) should carry forward that GENIUS!! We read daily the probs with Lithium batteries,Chevy Volt/Fisker Electric/A123/LG CHEM/Boeing the success of MICRON with PCM,Solar cells @ grid parity. TX STAN
January 6, 2013
January 6, 2013
Thank you
December 3, 2012
December 3, 2012
As a young guy on Phase-Change Memory, I always benefit from the most important cornerstone on PCM from Sir Ovshinsky. He is real great man in science and modern technology. We will miss him forever and work further on PCM following Stan in future. Rest In Peace !
November 4, 2012
November 4, 2012
“It is hard to find words to express the grief of loosing Stan. I grew up as a scientist on his patents and papers back in the early 1970s. I owe him so much. Stan was a brilliant scientist, a great inventor. He leaves a legacy that is meaningful.
May your soul rest in peace, Stan."
May your soul rest in peace, Stan."
October 31, 2012
October 31, 2012
I was lucky to meet Stan in person at EPCOS conferences in Europe several times. He always brought excellent and visionary type lectures. I admired him very much as a scientist and as a kind and supportive human being. I wish him peaceful rest.
October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012
Thank you for develop the NiMH battery for the world.
(Sorry for my english is not good.)
(Sorry for my english is not good.)
October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012
Stan"s mother and my father were brother and sister, therefore Stan was my first cousin. My mother always called him "My nephew the genius" long before the world came to know him. I remember him as the big brother of Herb, who was my childhood playmate. I have read the tributes to Stan, and how many lives he touched. I feel blessed that Stan was in my life. Cousin Esther'l
October 28, 2012
October 28, 2012
Stan was a great pioneering scientist and inventor, as well as a warm-hearted and caring man. He was an inspiration to me and to many many others. He is irreplaceable and will be greatly missed by me personally and by all in the phase-change scientific community. May he rest in peace.
C. David Wright
C. David Wright
October 27, 2012
October 27, 2012
Stan accepted me as a trainee in ECD in 1983 after I finished Ph. D thesis. It was a great experience to work as a part of the ECD family. Last summer, I saw Stan and Rosa for the first time more than ten years. Stan was very passionate to talk on his research topics. My wife and I were encouraged a lot. It is unbelievable to hear such sad news. I believe his will be eternal.
October 26, 2012
October 26, 2012
Stan lives on: through his inventions as demonstrated in his work and through colleagues; through his values as transmitted to his children, grandchildren and friends; through his thoughts and conversatios through acquaintances and even those who met him briefly and were stimulated by what he said and did (as we all were). As long as he is remembered-and he will be remembered-he lives on.
October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
You changed the world and inspired me, thank you.
October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
Stan will be long remembered by all of us as one who was very polite and active man, who devoted all his life to inventions and science, to service of mankind. We regard it as an honor and privilege to have known him personally and he will be remembered with gratitude by all of us. Thank you Stan and rest in peace.
M. Frumar and colleagues from University of Pardubice, Czech Republic
M. Frumar and colleagues from University of Pardubice, Czech Republic
October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
Stan led an exemplary life. He was an inspiration to all who met him and he will continue to be an inspiration long after his passing. My condolences go out to his entire family. Rest in Peace, Stan. Thank you for everything!
October 24, 2012
October 24, 2012
I am truly at a loss for words to describe Stan's influence on me.Thank you for 23 memorable years at ECD.
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
RIP Stan the Man !
Please, please will everyone in the world stop saying that Stan invented the NiMH battery for hybrid cars ! He invented the NiMH battery for pure EVs which if the development had continued would be giving over 300 miles of pure electric drive today and still can. He offered GM a 201mile range battery for EV1 in the year 1994 !!
Please, please will everyone in the world stop saying that Stan invented the NiMH battery for hybrid cars ! He invented the NiMH battery for pure EVs which if the development had continued would be giving over 300 miles of pure electric drive today and still can. He offered GM a 201mile range battery for EV1 in the year 1994 !!
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
Stan was the best. He treated us all like we were family. I remember him stopping a tour of VIPs and comming over to ask me how I was doing and how the family was. I will never forget him. Rest in peace old friend.
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
You are best in creation many thing for this world.
Thank you and I never forget you, Rest in peace.
Thank you and I never forget you, Rest in peace.
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
Ovinsky Over Sky Forever
R.I.P
R.I.P
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
หลับให้สบายนะครับถึงเวลาพักผ่อนของท่านแล้ว ท่านผู้เจริญด้วยมานะ อุตสาหะเพื่อประโยชน์ของส่วนรวม
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
I have received enlightened ideas and teachings about amorphous materials and how they work in batteries. I will miss a great mentor. Thank you Stan!
Fabio
Fabio
October 23, 2012
October 23, 2012
Stan was one of my idols. We could talk science, we could talk Workmen's Circle, we could talk making this a shenere un besere velt far ale (a better and more beautiful world for all). Stan's ideals shone in everything he did. I will miss him, the Workmen's Circle will miss him, the world will miss him.
Bob
Bob
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
My sincerest condolences to the entire Ovshinsky family. Stan was an incredible human being that touched many lives. He will be forever remembered as a man who changed our world. Rest in peace Stan.
Jeannie Sharon
Jeannie Sharon
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
Accept most sincerest condolences on behalf of the friends from Moscow Power Engineering Institute.
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
My sincere condolences to the Ovshinskys family and friends. Stan's striking life and his achievements will be always remembered and will ispire people. He was my light for many years and this light of his will never fade.
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
On behalf of the American Physical Society, please accept our condolences. Although I did not know Stan personally, I have heard of his wonderful relationship with the Society as a fellow, author in our journals and generous contributor to APS philantropic endeavors.
Our thoughts are with you. Kate Kirby, Exec Officer, APS
Our thoughts are with you. Kate Kirby, Exec Officer, APS
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
I woked for Stan from 1969 thru 1974. Even though it’s a short five years; but he has redirected my “political compass” for all my life. I remember in one of the May Day parties in his house, he remarked “We socialists should enjoy life just like the capitalists." The world will miss a true man of renaissance and compassion.
October 22, 2012
October 22, 2012
From Richard felixson
My father was Jack Felixson
Thanks to Nancy Felixson I’m getting to know about my Fathers family.
Sadly I didn’t have the opportunity to know Stan.
But I’m very proud to know that in some small way I was part of his family.
"My sincerest condolences to the entire Ovshinsky family.
My father was Jack Felixson
Thanks to Nancy Felixson I’m getting to know about my Fathers family.
Sadly I didn’t have the opportunity to know Stan.
But I’m very proud to know that in some small way I was part of his family.
"My sincerest condolences to the entire Ovshinsky family.
October 21, 2012
October 21, 2012
Stan, a brilliant man, recently I talked with Stan about mass energy storage and how important it is to our future, I can only say WOW finally a man that understands and in-visions things as I do. Thank you Stan and family for changing our world. Your contributions in energy technologies will greatly influence the world and every day life, long in to our future. God Bless you
October 21, 2012
October 21, 2012
My father, Robert Felixson, was Stan Ovshinsky's first cousin. I had the opportunity to meet and talk with Stan on a few occasions when he visited Los Angeles. Of course, I had heard stories about him from my dad when I was growing up ... and I learned more about Stan's amazing work in creating a better world, environmentally and functionally, thru his use of technology. A true visionary!!
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
It is impossible to find words to express the grief of loosing Stan. I grew up as a scientist on his papers back in the 1970s and for the last several years I had a great honour and privilege of being his personal friend. I learned so much from him and I owe him so much. Stan was a brilliant scientist, a great inventor and a wonderful human being. May your soul rest in peace, Stan.
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
Working with Stan & Iris on battery programs for electric vehicles for over 30 years resulted in a friendship of hugs. I am honored to have known them and saddened to see Stan's passing knowing that heaven is now an even better place.
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
I didn't know Mr. Ovshinsky, but I smile thinking about him, knowing that occasionally the Universe pops out that "one person" that Bucky spoke about:
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
Stan has given me new ideas to work on for the past 27 years and they are going to continue keeping me busy for the next 40! He was truly a man way ahead of his time.
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
I'm so saddened to hear. I didn't know Stan well but he always greeted me with a smile and often thanked me for being part of ECD's staff. I always admired the respect he received as it was for the utmost respect and kindness he showed to us. His legacy will forever go on.. Stan, you will be missed by millions. Pretty amazing. Give Iris a hug from us. Peace to Rosa and family.
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
Mr. Ovshinsky has been a fixture in our lives and a true friend of the family, in addition to a great role model and inspiration for science and society. I would like to express our deepest sympathies to the family on behalf of the Sapru family and the late Dr. Krishna Sapru
- Raj Sapru
- Raj Sapru
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
I first met Stan 41 years ago, with my brother in law Ben Webster. it was during the financing for ECD.
We met in Canada, outside by a magical lake property, still owned by my family. Stan became a partner in our "lake retreat" where it has been a long and happy relationship.
My condolences to the whole family, we will miss him.
We met in Canada, outside by a magical lake property, still owned by my family. Stan became a partner in our "lake retreat" where it has been a long and happy relationship.
My condolences to the whole family, we will miss him.
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
We wish to express our deepest sympathy and condolences to the entire Ovshinsky family, friends, and colleagues for the loss of Stan, truly a great man, that mankind gets once in a very long while.
Huseyin, Hulya, and Buke Hiziroglu
Huseyin, Hulya, and Buke Hiziroglu
October 20, 2012
October 20, 2012
I only met Mr. Ovshinsky twice, but just these two times were enough for me to understand what an extraordinary person he was. For me he was an incredible scientist and a remarkably kind person, and for many others he was so much more. You will be remembered forever.
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
October 18, 2023
October 18, 2023
Not a day goes by without my thinking about my amazing parents. When my Standad was the age I am now (69), all I needed to do was ask one good question to get him going, thinking and talking, highlighting good ideas and possibilities, referencing history and literature and cosmology, always tying things together with a sense of the nobility of a life committed to helping create a better world in whatever way is possible. To honor Standad I try to follow the dictum he stressed to Rosa: "Squeeze Life!" October 17th is now past but the candle is still burning...
November 28, 2022
November 28, 2022
Stan was an inspiration to me and many other friends at ECD. I will always cherish these old good days working at ECD and the special warm atmosphere created by Stan and Iris.
November 28, 2022
November 28, 2022
Stan was a mentor to me over the 20 odd years that I worked at ECD. After living 80 odd years I realize what a gift that was. I was lucky to gain many skills both with technology but more importantly with how to interact and deal with people. Those were some of the best years of my life. I will always be very grateful to both he and Iris.
Gallery
Sam Schankler and Stan, circa 1946. Sam worked with Stan on the Benjamin lathe and later at ECD.
101_0661
Another character drawn during a meeting
Some of the famous Stan's characters.
Stan & Iris hiking (~1960)
self-portrait (1960)
Power, oil on paper by Stan Ovshinsky
Sacco_Vanzetti by Stan Ovshinski, oil on paper
Stan & Norma lower left circa 1946
Recent stories
Stan’s sketches
October 9, 2015
Stan was a person with a lot of talents! He could be a very good painter. His sketches covered any corner of his notebooks and Iris was collected all of them. At the end were about 8 folders and a bunch of notebooks, full of sketches. All characters were different and I have the feeling that his emotions were reflected on them.
Stan's birthday party speech
February 8, 2013
by fabio albano
Stan's witty humor, love for Rosa, for his family, friends and his positive look on life through the eyes of an inner child shines through this footage...
Stanford R. Ovshinsky
January 6, 2013
Stanford R. Ovshinsky (LCD)