Obituary of Ansgar W. Schmid

DI Dr. Ansgar Wolfgang Schmid, Ph.D., former group leader and senior scientist of the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester passed away unexpectedly on December 21, 2023 at age 77 (February 4, 1947). He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Svetlana Glebovna Lukishova; daughter Ursula Ester Schmid; son Cornelius Gregor Schmid; brothers Johannes Schmid and Christoph Schmid; nephews Joachim Schmid and Bernhard Schmid, nieces Agnes Berner (Schmid) and Monika Hageneder (Schmid), and their children Anna, Alexander, Philipp, Felix and Moritz to whom Ansgar constantly sent the gifts from Rochester to Salzburg. Pre-deceased by his parents, father DI Eduard Schmid and mother Irmgard Schmid (Kessler) and his Tante (aunt) Christel Kessler. Ansgar will be remembered by his relatives and friends as being loving and supportive, with a unique charm and sense of humor, and honesty. He was born in Salzburg, Austria. He received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from the Technical University of Vienna. His M.S. diploma was made in CERN (Switzerland) and Ph.D. thesis research was performed under an exchange program between the University of Michigan and the Technical University of Vienna. His Ph.D. research involved multiphoton induced emission of halogen atoms from alkali halide crystals. He worked at the Physical Division of the National Research Council (Ottava), as a Professor at the Washington State University (Pullman), and almost 20 years at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics, University of Rochester where he was a group leader and senior scientist. His interests lied in devising new cost-effective materials and devices for use on high-peak-power lasers, specifically inertial confinement fusion drivers, manufacturing issues of organics in general, polymers and liquid crystals in particular, and laser-induced damage of materials. Later his interests have focused also on nanometrology with near-field, atomic force and confocal microscopy and their applications in quantum optics. Friends may call Friday, December 29, 2023 from 4-7 pm at the Merton H. Kays Funeral Home, Inc., 59 Monroe Street, Honeoye Falls. His Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday 10:30 am at the University of Rochester Interfaith Chapel, 1045 Joseph C. Wilson Blvd., Rochester. Burial at Mt. Hope Cemetery.