Astronomer William (Jack) Welch Dies

William (Jack) Welch, a pioneering astronomer whose visionary work in radio astronomy helped advance the search for extraterrestrial technology, passed away this week at the age of 90. Welch, a professor at the University of California, Berkeley (UCB), played a pivotal role in the design and development of the SETI Institute’s Allen Telescope Array (ATA), significantly advancing our understanding of the universe. Welch was married to SETI Institute co-founder Jill Tarter. Together, as a team, they envisioned and built the ATA, the first and still only observatory built specifically to conduct SETI research. Welch and Tarter helped shape the SETI Institute from the beginning, building it to become a world-class scientific research organization and propelling its mission.

Welch was a Founding Board Member and the Founding Vice President of the SETI Institute, elected at the first Board of Directors meeting on December 20, 1984. Welch served as Vice President/Vice Chair from 1984-2000; as Board Director/Trustee from 1984-2014 and was an Emeritus Trustee of the SETI Institute.

Welch earned his B.A. in Physics at Stanford University, in 1955. He continued his studies at UCB, obtaining a Ph.D. in Engineering Science in 1960. Welch's career at UCB spanned over four decades, during which time he contributed to the Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences Department, the Astronomy Department, and the Graduate School. His research focused on millimeter interferometry and frequency-independent feeds and receivers, and he co-discovered interstellar NH3 and H2O with Charles Townes.

From 1971 to 1996, Welch served as the Director of the UCB Radio Astronomy Laboratory. His contributions to radio science were recognized nationally and internationally, including his election to the National Academy of Sciences in 1999, the Jansky Lecturer Award in 2001, and the URSI Balthasar van der Pol Gold Medal in 2008. Welch also held the Marilyn and Watson Alberts Chair for SETI at UCB between 1998 and 2011.

Known for starting the field of millimeter-wave interferometry, Welch's work led to discoveries in star formation, including identifying the first hot cores associated with massive protostars. His legacy includes over 100 journal articles and conference papers and his leadership in projects like the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter-wave Astronomy (CARMA) and the Allen Telescope Array.

Welch’s passion for uncovering the unknown extended beyond his research. As the first to hold UCB's chair for the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, he emphasized the importance of seeking intelligent life beyond Earth and advocated for SETI as a legitimate science. His dedication to exploring the universe matched his commitment to educating the next generation of astronomers.

Welch was also a pilot who learned to fly instead of driving from back and forth between Hat Creek Radio Observatory, the site of the ATA, and his home in Berkeley, CA. He ultimately decided to sell his Cessna to help fund construction of the ATA.

William "Jack" Welch leaves a legacy that transcends his contributions to radio astronomy and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. His pioneering spirit, dedication to scientific exploration, and impact on the field will be remembered and celebrated by colleagues, students, and the broader scientific community.