I wanted to take a moment to share some personal reflections about Dr. John E. Greivenkamp, whose passing we mourned in 2022, but whose impact on optics education continues to resonate in ways both profound and deeply personal. It has been a few years after his passing, and I felt compelled to write this now.
Many of you know John for his remarkable contributions to our field—his groundbreaking work in optical testing and interferometry, his leadership as SPIE President in 2020, and his decades of dedication to advancing optical sciences at the University of Arizona. But today, I want to share a different perspective: the John I came to know as someone who believed so deeply in the power of education that he was willing to cross oceans to share that knowledge.
Several years ago, around 2008, a number of professors from the University of Arizona came to Japan to hold an Optics Short Course, where they would teach the curriculum of UofA condensed over a week. I had the extraordinary privilege of serving as John’s real-time, on-site translator during his most popular course, “Fundamentals of Geometrical Optics,” when he brought this program to this series. What struck me most wasn’t just his mastery of the subject matter—though that was undeniable—but the trust he placed in me to faithfully convey not just his words, but the passion and precision behind them. Teaching optics through translation is no small feat, yet John approached it with the same methodical care he brought to his research.
Our collaboration extended beyond the classroom. I accompanied John to Utsunomiya University and meetings with the Municipality of Education as he worked tirelessly to establish an optics graduate program in Japan. Watching him navigate cultural differences, explain complex concepts across language barriers, and maintain his infectious enthusiasm for optics education was truly inspiring. He understood that knowledge has no borders, and he was determined to ensure that the next generation of optical engineers—regardless of where they lived—had access to the highest quality education. Utsunomiya University now has a graduate program dedicated to optics, and this has only contributed to higher learning in Japan.
Before leaving Japan, John presented me with a signed copy of his “Field Guide to Geometrical Optics.” That book has become my most-referenced resource throughout my career. I’ve purchased multiple copies over the years—not just for my own use, but to gift to early-career optical engineers who need that solid foundation John provided so expertly. The Japanese translation is so well-crafted that I often find myself referencing it to navigate technical terminology between languages, a testament to John’s commitment to making optics education truly accessible.
What I admired most about John was how he embodied the best qualities of an educator: patience, precision, and an unwavering belief that complex concepts could be made understandable with the right approach. He didn’t just teach optics; he taught us how to think about optics, how to approach problems methodically, and how to share that knowledge with others.
As I continue in my own career, I often think about the example John set—not just as a researcher or industry leader, but as someone who understood that the true measure of our field’s success lies in how well we prepare the next generation. Every time I reference his Field Guide, every time I pass along one of those copies to a young engineer, I’m reminded of his legacy: that great science is only as good as our ability to teach it. I strive to do that through my website and emails through pencilofrays.com, and a lot of the words I wrote are influenced by John.
John E. Greivenkamp was more than a distinguished professor or accomplished researcher. He was a bridge-builder, connecting cultures through the universal language of optics, and ensuring that knowledge flowed freely across all boundaries. I don’t pretend to know him as well as his students and colleagues, but like to think I knew him as John. The person that didn’t want condiments on his ramen noodles, and the person that sang Welcome to the Jungle with me at Karaoke.
His dedication to education continues to illuminate paths for countless engineers and researchers around the world. In that way, his greatest optical achievement may have been showing us all how to focus our efforts on what matters most: passing on what we’ve learned.
With deep respect and gratitude,
-Kats Ikeda
Field Guide to Optics Education: A Tribute to John Greivenkamp
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