New Zealander Alan Maxwell, 94, was a man of science, a citizen of the world, and a loyal West Texan. He died Aug. 22, 2021, in San Diego, Calif. He was born in 1926 to Arthur and Ellen Maxwell of Auckland, New Zealand.

Alan excelled early as a musician. From his teens, he played organ in church services. Alan studied physics at Auckland University, where he was a pioneer in the detection of radio waves from sun spots. His 1949 thesis was the school’s first in the field of radio astronomy. Alan completed his PhD under Sir Bernard Lovell at Manchester’s Jodrell Bank

Observatory, England. Harvard University soon tasked Dr Maxwell to establish its first radio astronomy station. In 1956, he established this long-serving facility at Cook Flat on the Sproul Ranch, near Fort Davis, Texas.

He also set up offices and a photographic dark-room at the Limpia Hotel on the town square. The scientist lived locally for 17 years, and became a true and enduring friend to the community.

He moved to Massachusetts in 1973, and began a commute between Cambridge, Mass., and the Big Bend, instructing at Harvard and continuing Fort Davis observatory leadership. Throughout his teaching career, Alan nurtured many young scientists, including a Nobel Prize winner.

In 1983, he retired as professor emeritus, and continued his life of travel, returning frequently for visits with friends in the Big Bend. This Renaissance man gave generously to educational, musical and humanitarian causes and supported several West Texas institutions. He often attended services at Bloys camp meeting. Some of his local friendships spanned four family generations. Stranded in San Diego when the pandemic struck, Alan was faithfully attended by Marriott Hotel staff. After 18 months, a sudden illness required his hospitalization.

Alan’s earthly travels ended peacefully at Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego. The wanderer will be sadly missed by his New Zealand family, and friends from over the world. There will be no funeral, just memories of a long life lived - and ended - exceedingly well.