Daniel Weintraub
Professor Emeritus of Psychology Daniel J. Weintraub died Nov. 7 at the age of 71.
Weintraub’s research focused on human visual perception—constancies, sensory adaptation, non-sensory perception and the perception of form and patterns, especially visual illusions. But his work was not limited to basic research. His experience as a Navy aviator led him to applied human factors research on head-up displays in aircraft. He was a visiting scientist at the Naval Aerospace Medical Research Laboratory in Pensacola and at NASA’s Ames Research Center. He blended basic science with applied science to solve real-world perceptual problems.
At the University, Weintraub served on many committees and in various administrative roles, including 15 years as director of the Honors Program in psychology. He was a recipient of the University’s Distinguished Service Award.
Weintraub also is remembered for his keen sense of humor and upbeat attitude that he brought to every conversation, the department’s noon bridge game and committee meetings. He was also a valued member of the Psychology Department championship softball and volleyball teams.
In 1954, he received an A.B. in Psychology from Dartmouth. After graduation he spent three years as a Navy pilot and flight instructor. In 1958 he began graduate study at the University of Illinois. Upon completion of his Ph.D. in 1962, he joined the U-M faculty and remained until his 1995 retirement.
—Submitted by the Department of Psychology
