Fred
Kavli, science research supporter, dies at 86
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[November 23, 2013]
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (AP) — Fred
Kavli, who launched a foundation to support science research and award
prizes of $1 million to scientists, has died. He was 86.
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Kavli died Thursday at his home in Santa Barbara from
complications of surgery for a rare form of cancer, the Kavli
Foundation said in a statement.
Kavli was a philanthropist, physicist and entrepreneur. In 2000, he
created a foundation bearing his name that supported basic research
in astrophysics, nanoscience, neuroscience and theoretical physics.
Eight years later, the foundation began awarding prizes in three
fields — astrophysics, nanoscience and neuroscience. Each prize was
worth $1 million, and winners also received a scroll and gold medal
that were presented every two years by the king of Norway during a
ceremony in Oslo.
"This is a painful loss for the foundation and for all of science,"
foundation vice chairman Rockell N. Hankin said. "We can only take
comfort in his extraordinary legacy, which will continue advancing
critically important research that benefits all of humanity, and
supports scientific work around the globe."
Kavli, a naturalized U.S. citizen, was born in 1927 on a small farm
in Norway. He studied physics at the Norwegian Institute of
Technology, now called the Norwegian University of Science and
Technology. Kavli financed his schooling with proceeds from a
business he and his brother ran during World War II.
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In 1955, he moved to Canada and later to the United States. He
founded Kavlico Corp., a supplier of sensors to the aerospace and
automotive industries, in 1958. Kavli was the chief executive and
sole shareholder until the company was sold in 2000.
Along with promoting science research, Kavli donated to civic
projects including the Fred Kavli Theatre for Performing Arts in
Ventura County.
He is survived by two children, and nine nephews and nieces.
[Associated
Press]
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