Daub’s early research interests in gaseous nebulae culminated in a widely cited paper in 1982, but his main love was teaching; many of his students pursued careers in science.
Clarence Theodore Daub, Jr. ('Ted'), long time San Diego State University astronomy professor whose accessible teaching style and humorous cheer endeared him to generations of students, passed away peacefully Saturday October 1, 2022, in La Mesa, California. He was 85.
Born in Hagerstown, Maryland, on November 27, 1936, to Clarence T. Daub, Sr. and Sarah Myers Daub of Mercersburg, Pennsylvania, Clarence T. Daub, Jr. was known as 'Skip' to many (and later “Ted”). During World War II he spent his formative years at Camp Roberts, California and in Little Rock, Arkansas, where his father was posted. From 1948, his schooling continued as an 'Ingleside kid' at the State Hospital in Hastings, Nebraska.
Daub graduated from Carleton College in 1958 and received his Ph.D. in astronomy from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1962. His thesis, “The Zanstra mechanism for nebular condensations,” was completed under the advisement of John Samuel Mathis, a former graduate student of Don Osterbrock. In 1963, he married Barbara Ruth Lien, of Burke, Wisconsin; they divorced in 1982.
Daub served as an assistant professor of physics at Iowa State University in Ames through 1966. A summer teaching job in San Diego led to his joining the San Diego State University faculty in 1967. He stayed there for the rest of his career, retiring as emeritus professor in 2004.
Daub's early research interests in gaseous nebulae culminated in a widely cited paper from 1982, “A Statistical Survey of Local Gaseous Nebulae”. Other papers followed, some written in partnership with graduate students he was advising.
In later years, Daub focused on teaching as his main love. His Astronomy 101 class was the portal for many students into a career in the sciences. From 1984 to 1988 he served as Department Chair. He was also active in Sigma XI for over 60 years. After retiring, Daub remained engaged in the Department, and was frequently seen in the library and in the commons.
From an early age, Daub pursued an active outdoor life. A hurdler in school, he jogged for years before taking up mountain bike riding, golf, and sailing. He was always up for a game of Frisbee golf. He was an avid hiker, including at Mt. Laguna where he owned a cabin, and in later years volunteered as a Mission Trails guide. Zion National Park was a cherished destination, and Daub made regular trips there with family and close friends. He also enjoyed exploring the Oregon Trail. Other interests included military history, especially the Pacific theater in WWII, physics, and philosophy. In San Diego, he enjoyed the Symphony and local theater.
Daub is survived by his second wife, Joanne Chretien of San Diego, who he married in 2000; by two sons, Jonathan Daub of New York City and Douglas Daub of El Cajon, California; five grandchildren; and his brother John Daub of Temecula, California.
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