June 13, 1997

"Am" was Chief of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission's Controlled Thermonuclear Branch, Division of Research from 1953 to 1956. He then became the AEC's European scientific representative. As plans evolved for the declassification of fusion research worldwide at the International Atomic Energy Agency's 1958 Conference on the Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy, Bishop was asked to write a book that could be released at the time of the conference. That book, Project Sherwood - The U.S. Program in Controlled Fusion (Addison-Wesley, 1958), became the inspiration for many students who entered the field from the late 1950's to the present day. It discussed, in simple terms, the many concepts under investigation and traced the history of the U. S. program and its pioneer researchers. It is still one of the best introductions to fusion.

Bishop returned to the U.S. and joined the staff of the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory in the early 1960's, where he did experimental research on the Model C Stellarator. In the mid-60's he returned to the Atomic Energy Commission to head the program. His first action was to prepare, with the assistance of then staff member Steve Dean and Dick Post of LLNL, the "AEC Policy and Action Paper on Controlled Thermonucear Research," that provided the basis for U.S. program planning for the rest of the decade.

In 1970, he joined the United Nations staff in Europe as Director of Environment for the U. N. Economic Commission. He worked on international environmental problems from that forum until his retirement in 1980. He has maintained occasional contact with the fusion effort over the years; was an Individual Affiliate of Fusion Power Associates and occasionally responded to articles in our newsletter with comment or advice. In 1992, he was the recipient of Fusion Power Associates Distinguished Career Award.

He lived in Switzerland since 1970. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, several children and a brother. Sympathies can be sent to his wife at Les Acacias, 1261 Genolier, Switzerland.

For more information, contact: Stephen O. Dean