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FRANKLIN M. HENRY (1904-1993)
Franklin M. Henry, Professor Emeritus, Department of Human
Biodynamics, passed away in Oakland, California on September 13,
1993. During his long and illustrious career, "Doc" Henry (as he
was fondly known) directed more than eighty master's and doctoral
degrees in his own and other departments. Former students hold
distinguished professorships and chair departments at colleges
and universities throughout the world. For more than three
decades, Professor Henry's research significantly advanced our
understandings of metabolism and cardiovascular function during
exercise, fundamental tenets of motor learning, and the
specificity of training. More than 120 articles appeared in such
journals as Science, American Journal of Physiology, Journal of
Applied Physiology, American Journal of Psychology, Journal of
Experimental Psychology, and Research Quarterly.
During and following World War II, Franklin Henry served as
a project director for research in aviation physiology and as a
consultant to the aeromedical laboratory of the United States Air
Force. The results of investigations of physiological responses
at high altitude were published in the Journal of Aviation
Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, and various monographs.
This was not his first experience with the military. At an early
age he had left his hometown of Helena, Montana and entered
active service with the navy. As a petty officer aboard the
U.S.S. Charleston, he was responsible for the maintenance of the
ship's radio equipment. Upon return to civilian life, he built
and operated a small broadcasting station in Colorado Springs.
Franklin Henry matriculated at the University of California
just as the Great Depression was beginning. His interest in
physiological parameters of motor performance led him to the
Department of Psychology, from which he earned the A.B. (1935)
and the Ph.D. (1938) degrees. As a graduate student, he served
as a TA in the Department of Psychology and the Department of
Physical Educaton. Deciding against a position in psychology at
a liberal arts college, Professor Henry joined the faculty of
Berkeley's Department of Physical Education in 1938 and
contributed unstintingly to the University until retirement in
1971. In addition to his regular faculty duties, he was a
Research Associate at the Donner Laboratory of Medical Physics
(1944-57), Vice Chairman of the University Building and Campus
Development Committee (1953-57), and chair of the Earth Sciences
building project (1957-60). He served on many other Academic
Senate and administrative committees, and as the chair of his
department.
His inquisitive nature was a source of inspiration for
hundreds of young men and women. His inventive skills served
him well. While still an undergraduate, he designed research
instruments for Professor Harold Jones (Psychology) and Dr.
Nathan Shock (Physiology). Like many scientists of his
generation, Professor Henry constructed most of the equipment
that he and his students needed to carry out their
investigations. He was intolerant of careless work and thought;
and a demanding teacher. He was also exceedingly kind,
providing for students both intellectual and material support.
Franklin Henry was also deeply committed to his profession.
At a national meeting in 1964, he set forth a cogent assessment
of why physical education must be conceived of as an academic
field with roots in both the biomedical and the psych-social
sciences. This address, reprinted innumerable times, prompted
wide-ranging discussions and fostered a number of significant
developments in this country and abroad. He served on
editorial boards of the Journal of Experimental Psychology,
Psychometrika, Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Motor
Behavior, and other publications. He was an Associate Editor of
the Research Quarterly for well over a decade.
A Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the
American Academy of Physical Education (which honored him in 1972
with the coveted Hetherington Award), Professor Henry was also a
member of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation, and Dance, and other professional organizations. The
American College of Sports Medicine acknowledged his outstanding
contributions in 1975 with its highest scientific distinction--
the Honor Award. In 1983, a Physician and Sports Medicine
feature article described him as a "pioneer" in the field. The
Franklin M. Henry Graduate Fellowship, established in recognition
of his devotion to students and his field, has already benefited
several emerging scientists. His children request that any
donations in memory of their father be sent to the Department of
Human Biodynamics at the University of California, Berkeley
designated for the "Henry Fund for Physical Education."
Franklin M. Henry, Professor Emeritus, Department of Human
Biodynamics, passed away in Oakland, California on September 13,
1993. During his long and illustrious career, "Doc" Henry (as he
was fondly known) directed more than eighty master's and doctoral
degrees in his own and other departments. Former students hold
distinguished professorships and chair departments at colleges
and universities throughout the world. For more than three
decades, Professor Henry's research significantly advanced our
understandings of metabolism and cardiovascular function during
exercise, fundamental tenets of motor learning, and the
specificity of training. More than 120 articles appeared in such
journals as Science, American Journal of Physiology, Journal of
Applied Physiology, American Journal of Psychology, Journal of
Experimental Psychology, and Research Quarterly.
During and following World War II, Franklin Henry served as
a project director for research in aviation physiology and as a
consultant to the aeromedical laboratory of the United States Air
Force. The results of investigations of physiological responses
at high altitude were published in the Journal of Aviation
Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, and various monographs.
This was not his first experience with the military. At an early
age he had left his hometown of Helena, Montana and entered
active service with the navy. As a petty officer aboard the
U.S.S. Charleston, he was responsible for the maintenance of the
ship's radio equipment. Upon return to civilian life, he built
and operated a small broadcasting station in Colorado Springs.
Franklin Henry matriculated at the University of California
just as the Great Depression was beginning. His interest in
physiological parameters of motor performance led him to the
Department of Psychology, from which he earned the A.B. (1935)
and the Ph.D. (1938) degrees. As a graduate student, he served
as a TA in the Department of Psychology and the Department of
Physical Educaton. Deciding against a position in psychology at
a liberal arts college, Professor Henry joined the faculty of
Berkeley's Department of Physical Education in 1938 and
contributed unstintingly to the University until retirement in
1971. In addition to his regular faculty duties, he was a
Research Associate at the Donner Laboratory of Medical Physics
(1944-57), Vice Chairman of the University Building and Campus
Development Committee (1953-57), and chair of the Earth Sciences
building project (1957-60). He served on many other Academic
Senate and administrative committees, and as the chair of his
department.
His inquisitive nature was a source of inspiration for
hundreds of young men and women. His inventive skills served
him well. While still an undergraduate, he designed research
instruments for Professor Harold Jones (Psychology) and Dr.
Nathan Shock (Physiology). Like many scientists of his
generation, Professor Henry constructed most of the equipment
that he and his students needed to carry out their
investigations. He was intolerant of careless work and thought;
and a demanding teacher. He was also exceedingly kind,
providing for students both intellectual and material support.
Franklin Henry was also deeply committed to his profession.
At a national meeting in 1964, he set forth a cogent assessment
of why physical education must be conceived of as an academic
field with roots in both the biomedical and the psych-social
sciences. This address, reprinted innumerable times, prompted
wide-ranging discussions and fostered a number of significant
developments in this country and abroad. He served on
editorial boards of the Journal of Experimental Psychology,
Psychometrika, Journal of Applied Physiology, Journal of Motor
Behavior, and other publications. He was an Associate Editor of
the Research Quarterly for well over a decade.
A Fellow of the American Psychological Association and the
American Academy of Physical Education (which honored him in 1972
with the coveted Hetherington Award), Professor Henry was also a
member of the American Association for the Advancement of
Science, the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education,
Recreation, and Dance, and other professional organizations. The
American College of Sports Medicine acknowledged his outstanding
contributions in 1975 with its highest scientific distinction--
the Honor Award. In 1983, a Physician and Sports Medicine
feature article described him as a "pioneer" in the field. The
Franklin M. Henry Graduate Fellowship, established in recognition
of his devotion to students and his field, has already benefited
several emerging scientists. His children request that any
donations in memory of their father be sent to the Department of
Human Biodynamics at the University of California, Berkeley
designated for the "Henry Fund for Physical Education."