Marvin Chodorow

Marvin Chodorow (July 16, 1913 – October 17, 2005) was an American physicist who was a pioneer in the development of the klystron microwave tube. His work led to dramatic increases in klystron power output, enabling advances in radar, particle accelerators, satellite communications, and medical devices. He was the founding chairman of the Department of Applied Physics at Stanford University and directed the Ginzton Laboratory for nearly two decades. Chodorow was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences.

Early life and education Chodorow was born to a Jewish family in Buffalo, New York, on July 16, 1913. He received his BS in physics magna cum laude from the University at Buffalo in 1934. He authored approximately 40 technical articles and held at least a dozen patents. IEEE Lamme Medal, 1982 Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences Fellow, IEEE Fellow, American Physical Society

Personal life Chodorow married Leah Ruth Turitz in 1937. They had two daughters: Nancy Chodorow, a psychoanalyst and sociologist, and Joan Elizabeth Chodorow, an actress. His grandchildren include economist Gabriel Chodorow-Reich.

Chodorow was an active supporter of human rights for exiled Soviet scientists and an advocate for arms control. He served as an advisor to the Office of Naval Research and as a consultant to the U.S. Department of Defense, MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and the RAND Corporation.

He died peacefully at his home on the Stanford campus on October 17, 2005, of natural causes, at age 92.