responsibility ,” says Worcester . “ I was a chief scientist on a cruise while I worked on my thesis . Nowadays , that ’ s unimaginable .”
Italian marine biologist Giuseppe Notarbartolo di Sciara , PhD ’ 85 , who considers Munk a second father , paid tribute to his friend and mentor in an exceptional way . In 1987 , when he discovered a rare devil ray , a captivating creature that leaps through the air in acrobatic displays , he named it Mobula munkiana , or Munk ’ s devil ray . The magnificent animals , which glide through the water so elegantly , face grave threats ranging from unsustainable fisheries to climate change .
Munk believes climate change is the most important issue we face today by far . “ The challenge is enormous ,” says Munk , who has seen the evidence mount for decades . “ There really are no good solutions yet . It ’ s going to take people who are interested and qualified . They ’ ll have a very exciting role .”
IN 2015 , MUNK WENT TO THE VATICAN for a four-day workshop on climate change , which was attended by Pope Francis . “ My work with Walter [ has dealt ] with the interface between science and religion ,” says Veerabhadran Ramanathan , a distinguished professor of climate and atmospheric sciences at Scripps
Walter Munk today at his home in La Jolla , Calif . Photo : Erik Jepsen ' 10 UC San Diego Publications and one of the organizers of the Vatican meeting . Ramanathan and Munk have also discussed climate change with the Dalai Lama .
“ Many people assume Walter has stepped back significantly from daily interactions with oceanography ,” says Margaret Leinen , director of Scripps Institution of Oceanography . “ Nothing could be further from reality . Walter is working on multiple publications , and he attends seminars and events almost every day . Those of us at Scripps are privileged to see how extensively Walter still contributes to the oceanographic community .”
Back at his home , Munk reflects on his career with modesty — his stories never fail to mention those who were integral to his success . “ I ’ ve worked with so many good people ,” he says . “ I ’ ve been lucky that things I started , which used to have one or two people worrying about it , now have a large group of people working on them .”
As we wrap up our interview , Munk heads back to his home office and sits at his desk , eager to get back to work . “ Every time you learn something about the world , it ’ s exciting ,” he says . And , if Munk has proven anything , it ’ s that excitement and enthusiasm can lead to vast knowledge .
MUNK
MEMORIES
One of the nice things about Walter Munk is his habit of popping up unannounced at various student events to provide commentary and encouragement , which gives him an ethereal quality .
SARAH ZEDLER , PHD ’ 07
Surprisingly , in his career Walter Munk has had probably fewer than ten graduate students . I ’ m fortunate enough to be one of them . I use the present tense because even though I graduated from SIO in 1974 , I continue to be his student and he my mentor . He made little distinction between grad students and world-famous scientists . We were all treated as equals on the team . If any of us had something worthwhile to contribute , he would give us his complete attention .
JIM CAIRNS , PHD ’ 74
In my advanced course with Walter each student had to give a 50-minute presentation of an assigned classic paper . On the conclusion of one of them Walter said , ‘ That was impressive ; now do it again so that a high school student can understand it .’ I ’ ve never forgotten that and have always applied the principle to my lectures and papers . I left with an MS degree , a job arranged by Walter , and a love of all my professors and of Scripps .
STEACY D . HICKS , MS ’ 52
Walter was and remains a major presence in my off-and-on career as a historian of physical oceanography . I have left the history of oceanography for other professional pursuits , yet his support and friendship remain a hallmark of my nearly 90 years .
HAROLD BURSTYN , MS ’ 57
I have had the privilege of being Walter ’ s friend and colleague for nearly seven decades . Not only has Walter been oceanography ’ s greatest spokesperson , he is also a gracious human who gives of himself to others . We are all fortunate that he continues to contribute up to his 100th . Congratulations , Walter .
ARTHUR MAXWELL , MS ’ 52 , PHD ’ 59
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