[chimera]

Of all the people who worked on the Manhatten Project and later defense-related work, I always thought that Edward Teller was the most brilliant of them all. He had a way of seeing a problem and reducing it to its essentials. While capable of being stubborn at times, he was also quick to realize a better way to solve a problem. For example, when it was shown that his idea for a "classic super" thermonuclear device would not be practical, he was very quick to realize that Ulam's suggestion of hydrodynamic implosion, modified by his insight into radiation implosion, provided the key to the puzzle. In that sense, Teller always disclaimed the title of "Father of the Hydrogen Bomb", noting that, if anything, he should be thought of as its surrogate "mother", since it was Ulam who planted the "seed" of managed implosion", Teller nutured it and gave birth to the solution with the realization of radiation implosion.

I had dinner with Dr. Teller back in '92 when he was our honorary (and honored) national meeting chairman of the professional society (Health Physics) that I belonged to at the time. Listening to him discourse on various subjects, physics, politics, philosophy, current events, was a once in a lifetime experience. The depth and breadth of his knowledge was amazing.

If you ever saw films of his testimony before Congress or in public speeches, you will know that he was an amazingly effective advocate. He had an imposing physical appearance and spoke with a passion in his voice that would all but silence doubters.

I can never hope to achieve even a modicum of what Edward Teller accomplished in his life, but, somehow, knowing that such greatness can be is measure enough.

[Paul Ross]

I had dinner with Dr. Teller back in '92 when he was our honorary (and honored) national meeting chairman of the professional society (Health Physics) that I belonged to at the time. Listening to him discourse on various subjects, physics, politics, philosophy, current events, was a once in a lifetime experience. The depth and breadth of his knowledge was amazing.

Congratulations that you both had a chance to meet and know one of the real 'Greats' of our time. His like will not be seen again. And we shall miss him.