Prof. Cork Succumbs At Hospital

He Was Among Early Researchers On 'Atom Smashers'
Prof. James M. Cork, 63, a member of the University's physics department since 1920, died last night at the University Hospital.
An early researcher with particle accelerators, or "atom smashers," he had gained a reputation for his extensive studies of X-rays, radioactivity and atomic structure.
In the late 1930's, he supervised construction of the U-M's cyclotron, which for a time was the world's largest particle accelerator. More than 80 of the now known radioactive isotopes were discovered and identified in experiments during the early years of its operation.
In 1935, Prof. Cork teamed with Nobel Prizewinner E. O. Lawrence and succeeded in creating gold by bombarding platinum with atomic particles at the University of California.
Born in Yale, Mich., Prof. Cork received his bachelor of science degree from the U-M in 1916, his master's in 1917, and his PhD. in 1922.
He served as a lieutenant in the Signal Corps during World War I then became assistant physicist with the National Bureau of Standards. After serving as an assistant professor at Pennsylvania State College, he returned to the University as an instructor in 1920.
During the academic year 1926-27, he was an exchange professor at Victoria University in England. A sabbatical leave in 1930-31 permitted him to become a research associate in the field of X-rays in the laboratory of Duc de Broglie in Paris. During 1935-36, he conducted research at the University of California.
During the World War II, Prof. Cork served as a member of the National Defense Research Committee, and in 1947 he became a consultant to the Atomic Energy Commission.
He is survived by his wife, the former Laurie Kaufmann of Flint; a daughter, Mrs. John Wahr of Midland; a son, James A. Cork of Midland, Tex.; a brother, Charles H. Cork of Peck; a sister, Mrs. Harvey O. Woodbury of Ypsilanti; and two grandchildren, John and Janet Lee Wahr.
Funeral services will be held at 3:30 p.m. Friday at the Muehlig Funeral Chapel, with the Rev. Leonard A. Parr officiating. Burial will be at Forest Hill Cemetery. Friends may call at the chapel tonight and Friday before the services.
The family has requested that contributions be sent the Heart Fund or Leukemia Fund.