In Memoriam – Lou Costrell

Lou Costrell (left) at a special ceremony in
2007 where he was presented with a
commemorative certificate by Immediate
Past President Renzo Tani (right)

A driving force behind the IEC’s work on nuclear instrumentation and a founder of IEC TC (Technical Committee) 45: Nuclear instrumentation, Lou Costrell passed away on 8 June 2009.

In November 2007 Lou Costrell was presented with a commemorative certificate for his notable contribution to the work of the IEC at a special event in New York. At 94, having only just retired from active participation in the work of the IEC NC (National Committee) of the United States of America, he impressed participants with his sharp wits and vivacious character.

Lou Costrell dedicated his professional life to the development of international standards in the nuclear instrumentation field. He conceived and pioneered the introduction of modular instruments standards for the nuclear industry in the early stages of the growth of the industry.

Costrell was Chief US Delegate to IEC TC 45 from its inception in 1964 up until 2001 and he chaired its WG (Working Group) 9, Detectors and systems, where his experience and his earlier standardization work provided the basis for many IEC International Standards. He served as the Technical Advisor of the US National Committee of IEC TC 45 and throughout his life-long association with the IEC provided unparalleled leadership in the development and promotion of IEC Standards.

His many accomplishments were achieved through tireless energy, excellent technical knowledge, organizational skills and the ability to recruit and mentor young experts to support the development of IEC Standards.

The TC 45 report on airborne radioactivity which was published in 2003 in TC News underlined the extent of his work. "Louis Costrell of NIST has been a leading contributor to the standards community for more than forty years, serving in a significant capacity for both ANSI and IEC activities, and as a source of history and perspective for this review."

Said Charlie Zegers, General Secretary of the IEC NC, "it's a very sad day for the USNC, for IEC TC 45 and for the IEC. Lou Costrell was one of a kind and the cause of International Standardization will never be the same."

Speaking from the IEC's Geneva Headquarters, Ronnie Amit, IEC CEO and General Secretary said "Lou was unique. A totally IEC committed person. We will miss him."