John Sigwarth

It is with deep regret and sadness that I announce the unexpected passing of Dr. John Sigwarth, a senior scientist in the Heliophysics Division here at Goddard Space Flight Center. John died Monday of an aortic aneurysm. He was 49.
John joined Goddard in 2004 and was an incredibly respected and dedicated member of our community. He received his Ph.D. from The University of Iowa in December 1989 and was a world expert in the physics of the Aurora Borealis. John was the Project Scientist for the POLAR mission and was the Principal Investigator for one of the instruments on the recently launched Fastsat mission. Most recently, John was developing new advanced instrumentation to image the Earth’s Thermosphere and leading one of the Center’s Explorer proposals. John’s spouse, Dr. Nicky Fox, is a Project Scientist for the Radiation Belt Storm Probes mission at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory and a close friend of many here at Goddard.

John was known around the Center as an extraordinarily talented individual who was valued both professionally and personally for his skill, commitment, and compassion. His sudden loss is deeply upsetting to us all, and our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues in the Sciences and Exploration Directorate and Heliophysics Division at this time.
For those wishing to express their condolences, a visitation for friends and family will be held on Saturday December 18th, 2010 from 4-7pm at Witzke Funeral Home in Columbia, MD. A funeral service will also be held for friends and family on Tuesday, December 21st at noon at St. John the Evangelist Wilde Lake Interfaith Center, also in Columbia.
John will be greatly missed.
Rob Strain