In Memoriam: Hans Roehrig
Hans Roehrig
Hans Roehrig, professor emeritus of radiology and optical sciences, died on July 2. He was 85.
In 1972, Roehrig joined the University of Arizona as a research associate professor in the Department of Radiology, now the Department of Medical Imaging in the College of Medicine – Tucson, and the Optical Sciences Center, now called the James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences. Demonstrating a passion for image quality and medical imaging display research, Roehrig was promoted to professor in 1990 and continued to be a vital part of the department's research efforts until his retirement in 2012.
Roehrig – fondly remembered for his easy smile and charming sense of humor – was known as a pioneer and perhaps the world expert in the assessment of electronic computer displays for medical imaging, according to a tribute posted on the College of Medicine – Tucson website. As radiology transitioned from film to digital, he was a go-to person for industry and academic collaborators, who sought his "stamp of approval" on a given display, the tribute noted.
Roehrig published numerous book chapters and scientific articles and presented nearly 100 invited papers and scientific exhibits. His research works have garnered nearly 1,100 citations. He was actively involved in SPIE, the international society for optics and photonics, serving as conference chair for 16 years as well as journal editor and instructor. He was also involved with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the Radiological Society of North America. He shared his passion for display precision and served as a mentor for many students and junior faculty members during his University of Arizona career.
Roehrig was born Nov. 29, 1934, in Giessen, Germany. He earned his master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Giessen. In 1967, he came to the United States to work as a physicist at the U.S. Army night vision lab. He is survived by his wife, Teresa, their son, Alex, daughter-in-law Amanda and grandson Enzo.
A virtual memorial service will be held on Friday, July 31. More information, including a Zoom link, will be posted on the Department of Medical Imaging news page as it becomes available.
A version of this story originally appeared on the College of Medicine – Tucson website.