Oxford, UK — 15 May 2025 — It is with deep respect and sadness that First Light Fusion acknowledges the passing of Dr Richard L. Garwin on 13 May 2025. Dr Garwin was a valued member of our Scientific Advisory Board and an internationally renowned physicist, engineer, and public servant whose lifetime of contributions helped shape modern science and global security.
Dr Garwin held a Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Chicago under the mentorship of Enrico Fermi and was widely regarded as one of the most influential scientific minds of the 20th and 21st centuries. Over his distinguished seven-decade career, he made foundational contributions to fields ranging from nuclear physics and national security to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), gravitational wave detection, and computing.
He was the recipient of the National Medal of Science, the Enrico Fermi Award, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and served on numerous advisory boards for the U.S. government, including the President’s Science Advisory Committee and the JASON advisory group.
Dr. Garwin joined First Light Fusion’s Scientific Advisory Board with a deep curiosity about the potential of inertial fusion and a commitment to scientific rigour. His insight, intellectual generosity, and willingness to challenge assumptions elevated our thinking and helped guide our scientific direction. His belief in the broader purpose of fusion — to deliver clean, abundant, and secure energy — was fully aligned with our mission to power a world worth inheriting.
Over the years we were fortunate enough to work with him, we came to see not only his immense experience and knowledge, but his characteristic attention to detail and energy – all of which pushed us to work harder and be better. We were always struck by his ability to recall the exact date of an experiment or what was said – precisely – in a meeting over 50 years earlier – aided by the immaculate notes he kept.
We are honoured to have benefitted from Dr Garwin’s wisdom and are grateful for the time he spent supporting our team. He was regarded as a pioneer whose contributions were far larger than his fame. His legacy will continue to inspire our work and the global fusion community.
We extend our deepest condolences to Dr Garwin’s family, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched through his remarkable career
