Background
Germer, Lester Halbert was born on October 10, 1896 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Doctor Hermann G. and Marcia (Halbert) Germer.
Germer, Lester Halbert was born on October 10, 1896 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Doctor Hermann G. and Marcia (Halbert) Germer.
Bachelor of Arts, Cornell Univercity, 1917. Master of Arts, Columbia, 1922, Doctor of Philosophy, 1927.
With Clinton Davisson, he proved the wave-particle duality of matter in the Davisson–Germer experiment, which was important to the development of the electron microscope. These studies supported the theoretical work of De Broglie. He was awarded the Elliott Cresson Medal in 1931.
A former fighter pilot in World War I, Germer subsequently worked at Bell Labs in New Jersey.
In 1945 (at the age of 49), Germer launched a side career as a rock climber. He climbed widely around the Northeast United States, and especially at New York"s Shawangunk Ridge.
Although the Appalachian Mountain Club was dominant in the area at the time, and strictly regulated rock climbing, Lester was never associated with the club, and found himself in conflict with the leading climber in the area Hans Kraus, who was head of the Administrative Management College"s Safety Committee. He was once turned down for climbing certification with the comment "Likes people too much and is too enthusiastic." Lester was known for being generous and friendly.
He was once called "A one man climbing school."
In 1971, one week before his 75th birthday, Lester Germer died of a massive heart attack while lead climbing a rock climb at the Shawangunk Ridge (Eyebrow, 56).
Until that moment, Lester had a twenty six year perfect safety record in rock climbing. He had never even taken a leader fall.
Served as second Lieutenant 139th aero squadron, American Expeditionary Force, 1918. Received Elliot Cresson medal, 1931. Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, New York Academy Science, American Physical Society (chairman New York section 1944).
Member Society X-Ray and Electron Diffraction (vice president 1943, president 1944), American Crystallographic Society, also Sigma Xi.
Club: Appalachian Mountain of Boston (chairman New York chapter 1951-1952).
Married Ruth Woodard, October 2, 1919. Children: Emily (Mistress V. West. Samms), John Halbert G. Engineering.