Dr. Alexander Kaufman, professor in the Mines Geophysics Department from 1977-2005 passed away on June 7, 2023.
Dr. Kaufman was born August 1, 1931 in Moscow, Russia. He was the tenth child in a large Jewish family. As a child during World War II, he was evacuated with his mother and siblings while his father fought in the war. When he returned, antisemitism under Stalin had increased and difficult conditions would greatly impact his life.
He married his first wife Irina at the age of 27 and was blessed to be with her for 56 years. They had one child Dimitri, who survives him along with his sister Inna, six grandchildren, six great-grandchildren. Also surviving him is his second wife, Natalie, whom he married in 2017 and who lovingly cared for him until the very end.
Dr. Kaufmann received his degrees in geophysics in Russia, but after experiencing antisemitism, he moved with his family to South Siberia for 14 years where he was a professor and in charge of a research lab. In 1975, he immigrated to the West. He lived in several places before joining the Mines Geophysics Department in 1977 where he remained for 28 years until retirement. Dr. Kaufman wrote 17 books on geophysics, the last which he completed in 2021 at the age of 91. He was known for his great heart and charitable spirit. He set up a geophysics charity for Russian scientists with medical needs and frequently went out of his way to help students and colleagues find good doctors and jobs.
For more on Dr. Kaufman’s life and legacy, please read the Eulogy from his son Dimitri and the reflections on his life by his friends Anatoli Levchin, Lev Ostrovsky, Duncan McNeill, and Svetlana Gavrilova. Donations can be made to Colorado School of Mines Department of Geophysics.