Edward Stone

Edward Stone, age 88, of Pasadena, California, passed away in June 2024. Ed was born in Iowa in 1936 to Edward and Ferne and grew up with them in Burlington, Iowa, joined by younger brother James (Jim). On a blind date while at the University of Chicago, Ed met Alice, and they married in 1962. Ed completed his Ph.D. in Physics at the University and then took a position at Caltech, which brought Ed and Alice to Pasadena, California in 1963, where they raised two daughters, Susan and Janet.  

 

Caltech describes Ed’s career well: “A giant in the fields of space physics and planetary astronomy, Stone spent six decades… leading numerous space missions, overseeing the construction of the W. M. Keck Observatory, establishing the Institute's Space Radiation Lab, serving in distinguished leadership roles, and paving the way for the next generation of giant telescopes … Stone was perhaps best known for his role as project scientist for NASA's twin Voyager spacecraft, a project of discovery that he spearheaded for 50 years … bringing a sense of wonder, an encyclopedic knowledge, and a spirit of exploration to his work … In 1991, Stone was named director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) … He remained in that role until May 2001, during which time he oversaw 21 different missions and instruments.” Along the way, Ed was elected to the National Academy of Sciences (1984), was awarded the National Medal of Science (1991), and received the Shaw Prize in Astronomy (2019), among many other accolades. In 2012, a middle school was named in his honor in his hometown of Burlington, Iowa. In 2024, the Edward Stone Voyager Exploration Trail was unveiled on the JPL campus to commemorate Ed and the Voyager mission.  

 

Listening to Baroque music, calculating the odds of everyday things, enjoying stovetop popcorn with family, building practical objects and instruments, teaching, and learning about things outside familiar territory: any of these would be a perfect way to celebrate Ed’s life. He is survived by daughters Susan and Janet, son-in-law Tom, grandsons Michael and Ryan, and granddaughter-in-law Lauren. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Southeastern Community College Foundation (Burlington, IA), Caltech's Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) program, or the Pasadena Symphony and Pops.