Colleagues at NCAR, UCAR, and across our community were deeply saddened by the news that Michael J. Thompson, the NCAR Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer, died unexpectedly and inexplicably on October 15, 2018. An outstanding solar physicist and scientific administrator, Michael was highly respected across the organization and the entire international research community. He had previously served as Director of NCAR's High Altitude Observatory (HAO) and Interim UCAR President, as well as being a Senior Scientist.
"Michael’s guidance, insights, and institutional knowledge provided immeasurable benefits," said UCAR President Antonio Busalacchi. "His dedication to NCAR and UCAR over many years has left a substantial and enduring impact on our organization. His leadership will be deeply missed."
We have received numerous tributes from co-workers and collaborators across the organization and around the world. Here are some highlights from his distinguished career and a sampling of those tributes.