Cornell professor emeritus of physics and former department chair Douglas Beach Fitchen, 71, died at home Feb. 9 as a result of complications from cancer.

Pioneering in the use of advanced laser techniques of pulse and Raman spectroscopies, Fitchen's research involved optical studies of atoms and molecules -- one of the mainstream activities in physics research for many decades. Known as an outstanding teacher, he was also an active participant in the Materials Science Center, which later became the Cornell Center for Materials Research.

After earning his A.B. from Harvard College in 1957 and a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois in 1962, Fitchen joined the Cornell faculty that same year and spent 45 years in the Department of Physics and the Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics.

Fitchen served three five-year terms as chair of the Department of Physics and a semester as acting chair. According to Saul Teukolsky, current physics chair, under Fitchen's leadership the department recruited and nurtured many of the faculty who have helped strengthen the department over the years. He also championed the renovation of Rockefeller Hall; the Fitchen Tree planted in front is a tribute to those efforts.

"Fitchen was an outstanding teacher throughout his career," Teukolsky said. "He was especially concerned about the teaching of the large introductory courses, and introduced many innovations to these courses."

Teukolsky also recalled an invitation that Fitchen, while chair of the department, and his wife sent out inviting first-year graduate students to come over for Thanksgiving dinner.

"This gesture was completely typical of Doug: always concerned about the well-being of everyone in the department," Teukolsky said.

Fitchen is survived by his wife, Karen Brazell, professor of Japanese literature and theater at Cornell, his three children and many other family members.

People can contribute to a memorial fund to provide awards for students in the physical sciences by sending contributions to the Fitchen Memorial Fund, M&T Bank, 2248 Triphammer Road, Ithaca, NY 14850, attention Angela Ceppaglia.