Arvin Irving Lovaas died peacefully at his home, surrounded by family and friends with the support of Pathways Hospice, on Dec. 21, at the age of 87 years.

A first-generation American from a family of Norwegian immigrants, Arvin was born in Redgranite, Wisconsin, on March 4, 1931, and grew up in Hudson, Wisconsin. He graduated from Wisconsin State College-River Falls with a chemistry degree, followed by a masters degree from the University of Rochester and a PhD in radiation biology from Colorado State University.

Arvin did post-graduate work at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, and collaborated with Dr. John Hursh at the University of Rochester, producing widely cited research into the absorption of radiation by animal and human tissues. In 1968, after a brief position with the Colorado Department of Public Health, he started his career as the radiation safety officer for Colorado State University, a position he held until his retirement in 1996. He was active in professional organizations, including Sigma Xi and the Health Physics Society.

Arvin is remembered by his family and friends for his quiet, thoughtful manner, and for his integrity and kindness. He was a proud father and grandfather, and relished reading and exploring around his Colorado home.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Judy (née Barker); son Steven (Heidi); daughter Perri Pelletier (Michael); and granddaughters Annelise and Ivy. He was preceded in death by his parents, Simon and Petra Lovaas (née Granmo); his brother, Ivan; and his great-nephew Benjamin Simon Lovaas.

A celebration of Arvin’s life will be held at 1:30 pm, on Saturday, December 29, at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 1200 South Taft Road, Fort Collins.

Memorial donations in memory of Arvin can be made to the CSU Library Collection Enhancement fund or the Poudre River Public Library District.